The 2023 Victorian Country Championships will be in Geelong this week with Ballarat athletes excited to showcase their talent in the new year! The Championships, run from Thursday 26th to 28th January will involve all 4 Ballarat senior clubs with athletes of all ages engaging over the three packed days of events.
Ballarat clubs has traditionally faired well at the country championships with an incredible 63 gold medals won by Ballarat athletes in 2022 when the event was held in Bendigo. This year the clubs will be hoping for similar results with some big names attending to compete.
Athletes to Watch
Kathryn Mitchell/Yual Reath (Eureka Athletics/Wendouree Athletics)
The two elite athlete will represent their clubs in their chosen events with Mitchell once again taking up the Javelin and Reath over at the High Jump. After both representing Australia at the World Athletics Championships in July 2022, they are bound to bring a crowd with them as they both look to gain momentum leading into Championships season.
Alyssa Benbow (Eureka Athletics)
The champion Eureka thrower has taken her talent to another level this season breaking another BRAC record in the Discus and continuing to bring home medals in Championship event. During 2022, Benbow brought home 4 gold medals at both the Victorian Country Championships and the Victorian Track & Field Championships. This year she will be competing in the Discus, Hammer and Shot Put where she recently set a Victorian Country record with 14.33 metres.
Cooper Sherman (Ballarat Harriers)
The Ballarat Harriers speedster had a quiet start to the 2022-23 AVSL season before pulling off an incredible 21.09s PB in the 200m event on December 3rd. At last years Country Championships, Sherman broke the 200m record with a blistering 21.11s win in the Bendigo sun and followed up with a 47.20s 400m attempt. This saw him win the Australia Day Medal for Male athlete. One year on and Sherman will be looking to further his speed after attending the World U20 Championships mid last year. Sherman will compete in the 200m and 400m event.
Angela Williams (Wendouree Athletics)
Now entering the 50+ category for Wendouree Athletics Club, Williams will aim to build on her season that has included two broken BRAC records. At last years Country Championships, Williams won three gold medals in distance events which led her to win the annual Best Female VET athlete award. Continuing to build pace, Williams is in for a big three days of competition after entering the 800m, 1500m, 3000m & 10000m events.
Gretta Ashley (Ballarat YCW)
The Ballarat YCW product has enjoyed a positive start to the Track & Field season with a new found love for Steeplechase showing through. Ashley has impressed in the distance events with her talent rewarded with an invitation to join the Athletics Victoria Target Talent Squad during 2022. A gold medal in the U16 Women Steeplechase in 2022, Ashley will be looking to add to her collection while moving up in the U18 age bracket.
