TAMWORTH’S Little Athletics relay team has run into the history books after becoming the first local relay team to win a medal at the State Championships after they flew home to claim third place last weekend at the Sydney Olympic Centre, Homebush last weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For team members Kate Pianta and Emma Klasen it was the icing on the cake after both had taken individual gold medals and a swag of others between them.
Klaasen was involved in two photo finishes for first, as she proved herself to be one of the two fastest U13s in the state.
The speedster came out of the blocks late in the 100m before pulling back the distance to win the final by the bob of a head.
In the 200m it was a similar race with the sometimes nervous starter coming out late, but this time getting pipped at the post by the girl she edged out in the 100m.
Trainer Adam Jolliffe said she had been really nervous at the blocks after a few false starts.
“The 100m was the best run I have ever seen in my life,” Jolliffe said.
“She just mowed them down after the start.”
“In the 200m the girls were so close that both were only one hundredth of a second off the state record.”
Klasen also went on to take eighth in the long jump.
Pianta competed in the U14s and cleaned up in the jumps and sprints as well.
The lanky athlete striding out to claim the gold in the triple jump, before backing it up with a silver in the 200m and two bronze in the 100m and long jump.
Pianta has not medalled in five other attempts at state before claiming four from four this year.
“Kate is starting to take it more seriously and enjoying the sport as well,” Jolliffe said.
“Her extra training has really paid off.”
It was appreciated in the relay team too, as the girls lined up as the only country team in the race.
Little As relay teams are usually mad eup of a 13, 14, 15 and 17 year old, whereas Tamworth fielded two 13 year olds, a 14- and 15-year -old as Jamie Blackler and Bridie Martin pinned the hair back as well.
The team ran the race of their life to knock 2.2 seconds off their qualifying time with a 50.49.
“They were sitting with the pack the whole way before Emma (Klaasen) really brought them home,” Jolliffe said.
The club recorded their best ever state results, taking 15 athletes down with them, with almost all doing PBs.
John Moore was the only other finalist placing seventh in the U17 110m hurdles.
