LAURA Lafferty defied injury to win a state track and field ribbon in an event she is still adjusting to.
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The Emmanuel College student won the girls’ under 16, 800 metres at the School Sport Victoria (SSV) secondary championships in Melbourne on Friday.
Laura, 16, overcame “severe soreness”, carrying a calf complaint into the meeting, to clock 2.25.38.
She competed at the region championships in Ballarat a week earlier, winning 400m and 800m titles under duress.
“Then I had (Western Region) netball academy to try and get into the state side qualifiers and aggravated them even more, so all last week I was rehabbing and going to the beach,” Laura said.
“It wasn’t a very good lead-up.
“I did the 800m first and it was a really good run actually, but by the end my calves couldn’t run anymore.
“But I won by two or three seconds so it was a good event.”
Laura, who plays netball for North Warrnambool Eagles, said her track result at state level was pleasing and surprising.
“I don’t run 800m often. I mostly do 200m and 400m but I am starting to get into more long-distance stuff as I get older,” she said.
“When I was younger I’d do it for fun but now I am getting a bit older and know I can get to state and go well, I am taking it a bit more seriously. This year, even with the netball academy in Melbourne, I have got to know the competitive side and I like it.” An Emmanuel College relay team complemented Laura’s win at Lakeside Stadium.
Molly McKinnon, Natalie Farley, Ebony Marris and Junia Lual notched 54.58 seconds to win the girls’ under 12-13 4x100m title.
Warrnambool College’s Tobias Lane won the boys’ under 17 discus, using his strong form at regionals as the impetus for his triumph.
Tobias threw 42.87m — almost a metre better than his closest opponent.
“I was feeling confident in discus,” the year 11 student said.
“I went down with shot put as well but wasn’t too confident in that.
“I did a personal best in discus at regionals. It was 44.81m.”
Tobias, who plays football for North Warrnambool Eagles, has competed in SSV events since year 4, predominantly in discus and shot put.
“I am starting to get into javelin and came second at regionals, so that wasn’t too bad,” he said.
“I threw my best in that, about 40 metres.”
Portland’s Harry Punton won the under 12-13 discus 1kg category with 42.96m, while a host of south-west teenagers finished second and third in their respective classes.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au
