By Brendan Rees
Cranbourne Little Athletics were all smiles after returning home with 18 medals from the Little Athletics State Track and Field Championships earlier this month.
Cranbourne was one of 89 Little Athletics Centres that competed in the competition, which was held at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park on March 10-11.
Agostino Cecilia took out three gold medals in the under-nine 100 and 200 metre runs as well as high jump.
Keenan O’Hanlon snagged gold in the under-15 long jump and triple jump, and narrowly missed third place in the 100m in his final 100 metre run.
Shahd Mohamed also won gold by smashing the 400 metre run. She also bagged a silver medal in the 200 metre run for the under-15 events.
Nancy Agostino fought hard in three events before bringing home gold in triple jump in the girls under-13.
In the Multi Class Athletes section (athletes with disabilities), Teagan James snagged two gold medals in the 800 metre run and long jump, as well as two silver medals in the shot put and 100 metre run events in the girls 9-12.
It was the first time the multiclass teams have been able to compete at Albert Park, who took home five medals.
Cranbourne came fourth in the medal tally, coming home with nine gold, four silver and five bronze medals.
Cranbourne Little Athletics president Michelle Baxter-Hanna said she was impressed with the efforts all athletes who competed.
“I cannot express how proud I am of our athletes as well as the parents who help out on the track at these events,” she said.
“We are extremely proud as a club of the opportunities we have given these kids to be involved in a sport.”
