Victoria win three out of four 100m events at nationals

By the way Victorian athletes performed in the 100m at the Little Athletics nationals, the future is bright with these stars. Find out how they went.

The next kings and queens of the sprint could come from Victoria if the recent Little Athletics nationals is anything to go by.

The state dominated the blue riband events at Lakeside Stadium, claiming three of the four 100m events in under-13 and under-14.

Victoria only missed out in the under-13 girls, which went to New South Wales sprinter Tayla Bryant.

Leading the charge was Kevin De Silva who took out the under-13 boys 100m event.

Not only did he win the event with a time of 11.79 seconds but he also claimed the 200m.

By the 80m mark the race was won as De Silva charged through the field after a slower start than the rest of the field.

Kevin De Silva wins the boys U13 100m during the Australian Little Athletics Championships at Lakeside Stadium.

“I saw people next to me, so I got like scared as I was trying to run 11s,” he said.

“I thought I wouldn’t but after 50m I saw I was pulling away to the side a bit.

“I dipped in (at the finish) and ran 11.79.

“I was amazed with that.”

De Silva said he was a little bit nervous, which hampered his start.

But he didn’t think it cost him any time.

“My start wasn’t that good but it made me strike down more which leads to better timings,” he said.

“I also got the 200m championship, running a 24.1, I was really happy with myself with that one.”

De Silva showed just how good he was at the end of the meet, leading the Victorian under-13 team to the 1000m medley relay win.

Zach Kirk (VIC), Darcy Parker (VIC), Kevin De Silva (VIC) and Lachlan Rosato (VIC) pose on the podium after winning the Boys U13 Medley Relay during the Australian Little Athletics Championships at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park, Victoria on April 23, 2023.

Running the third leg of the race, De Silva charged from second to lead, past New South Wales, to steer his side to the win.

It was the effort of a rising star who is going to be someone to look out for in years to come.

Ariela Sprague, right, competes in the girls U14 100m during the Australian Little Athletics Championships at Lakeside Stadium.

He was joined in the winners circle by Ariela Sprague and Cooper Brancatisano who won the under-14 girls and boys 100m events respectively.

For Sprague she was pleased to win after some tough times recently in her racing.

“I just made sure to have a decent start and just smile through it to stay positive,” she said.

“About the first 40m (I knew I won).

“I’ve had a little bit of a rough little climb through but (I’ve been) pleased with the season.”

Sprague was also able to claim the 200m event at the nationals and aims to compete in the All Schools next season after a break.