The next batch of stars at Williamstown Little Athletics club were on show at the Australian Little Athletics Championships held late last month.
A team of 20 girls represented Victoria at the championships in the under-13 age group, with three of the group coming from the Williamstown club after a successful Victorian Little Athletics state championships.
Armani Mauriohooho, Ella Leith and Eve Fumburger all competed at that level for the first time.
The three girls, who have been watching as the senior Williamstown Athletics club has had plenty of success, showed they were on track to join them.
Ella Leith, who competed in the javelin, finished seventh at the nationals, after winning silver at the state championships in her age group.
Eve Fumburger competed in the high jump (10th placed), triple jump (13th placed) and long jump (14th placed) at the Australian championships.
She won two silver medals at the Victorian championships.
Armani Mauriohooho finished eighth in the high jump after winning bronze at the state titles.
Williamstown coach Robbie Spencer said considering there are hundreds of clubs around Victoria to have three girls in the team was no easy feat and they were so proud of them all.
“Eve, Ella and Armani are making marks of their own by making the Australian Little Athletics Championships and competing for Victoria,” he said.
“All the girls medalled in their respective events at the state championships.
“They continued their success at nationals with Ella throwing over a three metre personal best in her first attempt in the javelin.
“Eve made her mark in the high jump, long jump and triple jump and thrived competing against Australia’s best.”
Spencer has coached Eve for four years and he said that she has grown into such a determined, strong, competitive young athlete that always stays humble.
Fellow coach Darren Clark said that Armani competed at her first national championships and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and jumped really well on the day.
Tania Hardin who coaches her daughter Ella said she was really proud of her achievements “Ella was so excited to gain selection into the Vic team,” she said.
“We were all thrilled and very proud watching her compete against the best in the country.
“To achieve a pb [personal best] at the event was a credit to Ella and the Victorian team who supported and assisted during the event.”
Tara Murray
