Altona Little Aths stars shine at state titles

ALTONA Little Athletics Centre is best in the west for middle-distance running.

ALAC returned from the 2013 Victorian Little Athletics cross-country championships with two individual gold medals to go with a silver and a bronze won in the team events at Lardner Park in Warragul last week.

Those results placed ALAC sixth out of 60 clubs on the medal table and first of all clubs from the western suburbs.

In under-12 boys, Matthew Hussey never looked in danger, achieving a fourth consecutive gold medal.

Hussey linked with Ben Nolan and Luke Whatman for a silver medal in the team event.

In the under-10 boys, Brodie Hicks matched his recent success at the primary schools championships with a gold medal.

Like Hussey, Hicks applied pressure as the runners went up the hill, breaking the field open.

In a competitive teams event, Hicks combined with Nathan Boicos and Ben Hussey to return with a bronze medal.

With creditable performances from Lauren Fisher (under-11 girls) and Anthea Curwood and Emma Hussey (both under-7 girls), the ALAC’s future looks bright.

Team manager Simon Hussey was proud of the ALAC’s entire cross-country team.

“They did an incredible job,” he said. “This sets the standard and I look forward to coming back next year with a bigger team.”