The weather was perfect on the day, and despite Finley LAC having to pump water off the oval so that all the track could be used due to a flash storm the night before, it was a wonderful day of activities.
Leanne Mulham said the Zone Carnival is a qualifying event for Little Athletics athletes in under eight and above brackets.
‘‘Our team was up against athletes from Finley, Corowa, Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera, with the first three placegetters automatically qualifying for the Regional Carnival, to be held in Wollongong on February 5 and 6,’’ she said.
‘‘Due to the travel commitment and current COVID condition, not all athletes will make the trip to Wollongong, but the club is hoping at least eight athletes will make the journey.
‘‘The club is very excited that all our athletes qualified in one or more events for the Regional Carnival.’’
There were a huge number of personal bests achieved with great results, which was particularly pleasing after not having athletics for a few weeks due to the Christmas break.
‘‘We also had two under seven athletes compete — Bonnie Ellis and Arianna Meads — who both took home gold and silver medals from the carnival,’’ Mulham said.
‘‘While they don’t have the opportunity to progress, they experienced the carnival atmosphere.’’
Deni’s qualifying athletes were Georgia Barnett, James Barnett, Isabelle Barnett, Remi Baulch, Jessica Dover, Leah Ellis, Katelyn Gooden-Cannard, Gabrielle Jansen, Lillianne Jansen, Oliver Meads, Jedidiah Miller, Bede Orr, Connor Wilson and Pippa Wilson.
‘‘Events like these don’t run without parent volunteers, and the club expressed a big thank you to all our parents who helped out at the carnival, so the athletes had a chance to shine,’’ Mulham said.
‘‘We also congratulate Finley LAC for hosting the carnival during the school holidays.’’
The Deniliquin Little Athletics restarts 2021/2022 on Friday, February 4, from 5pm at the Deniliquin Hardinge St Oval.
