Three podiums for Echuca-Moama at state athletics championships

Swiggs earned his silver as a result of a personal best throw of 13.79m.

Benji Carfoot then earned a bronze for EMLAC on the track, running a personal best time of 2:29:05 in the boys’ 11-and-under 800m.

“Luca Micallizi, he won a gold last year and came home with a second this year,” EMLAC president Leah Smith said.

“Elijah Swiggs, he had a bit of a break but came back to athletics through the year.

“He was striving to medal in the shot put, which he did.”

On the big stage, a raft of athletes also managed to beat their personal best times.

Nate Smith set new PBs in his track events, while Tahlia Blight also managed to set a new bar in her 400m and 800m track events.

Darcy Cullen also managed to shave 10 seconds off her PB in the 1500m, while Lynkoln Richardson and Marlon Micalizzi set new times on the track.

“We had some really good results,” Smith said.

“We had a lot of PBs, which is all you can ask for at such an event like the state championships.

“It’s a big thing to go to states, and it’s another level completely compared to what our country kids have access to around here.”

Looking ahead, Echuca-Moama is set to be represented at the Stawell Gift in April.

Nate Smith, Benji Carfoot, Sophie Jardine and Elijah Swiggs have nominated for the event, with more slated to take the track at the prestigious race.