Albany Little Athletics pair Demi Burns and Mason Watkins claim bronze medals at State Championships

Albany Little Athletics pair Demi Burns and Mason Watkins have returned from the WA State Championships with bronze medals. The duo produced impressive performances in the 200m and triple jump respectively and were part of a strong Albany team of 22 athletes that competed in the State event on the Labour Day long weekend in Perth. Albany’s team recorded several personal bests at the high-calibre competition as the athletes held their own against city and country counterparts. Under-14 sprinter Burns was rewarded for her hard work training in the lead-up, as she came away with a bronze medal in the 200m final. Burns stopped the clock in a time of 26.26sec. and also had a solid run in the 100m final. Under-13 competitor Watkins also finished with a bronze medal around his neck, smashing a personal record in the process. Watkins recorded a jump of 10.35m in the triple jump and he also had big personal best efforts in the long jump and high jump, in which he finished fourth and fifth respectively. Middle distance runners Ginger Gleeson, Jindy Boyle, Edmund Toomey and Caleb Benson all shone after hours of commitment on the track, shaving between 8sec. and 16sec. off their personal best times. Determination from Charlotte Mitrovski, Amelia Fish and Carelize Van Wyk helped record personal bests in all their events. Rory Wolfe surprised himself with a berth in the 200m hurdles final, while Sienna Berry made finals in hurdles and the 70m, and was fourth in shot put. At his final Little Athletics State Championship, Logan Lionetti finished with personal bests in all his events. The Albany Little Athletics Club thanked coaches Basil Worner, Craig Shiels, John Toomey, Nekesha Fish and Donna Middleton for their guidance of the young athletes, putting in many hours throughout the season to get them to this stage.