THERE was a silver lining for three Swan Hill Specialist School students, with the trio returning from last month’s State Athletics Championships in Melbourne sporting a swag of medals around their necks.
Shakaya Egan, 18, Darryl Michaels, 17, and Claire Thomson-Banes, 15, all claimed silver medals at the Championships to take the next step in their sporting journey, with Michaels also securing a bronze medal in the under-17 boys long jump to go with his silver in the 100m.
The 100m seemed to be the event of choice for the multi-class athletes, with Thomson-Banes also taking home silver in her age group, while Egan claimed her silver medal in the long jump.
It was a proud moment not only for the students, who had all been to the State Athletics Championships previously, but also for Swan Hill Specialist School physical education teacher Virginia Allen.
She was full of praise for the trio’s ability to perform at their best on the big stage.
“I’m really proud of these kids, we follow the school sporting pathways program from our own school sports, to the regional sports and then to the state level and to come up against such good competition can be challenging,” Allen told The Guardian.
“In saying that, it’s also rewarding when they win medals, but it’s more about them going down and meeting new people and friends and competing against other students of great calibre as well.
“That’s what competition’s all about, you have to perform well on the day to get medals and try your best every single time and I’m so proud of all three of them for doing that.
“Even just going to Melbourne and the experience of that for the kids, and seeing so many talented athletes and watching it all unfold in front of you.
“It’s run really well and the multi-class kids are included really well in all five events that they compete in.
“Shakaya, Darryl and Claire’s results gives our whole athletics program worth, plus it’s also really good for the other students to see their schoolmates come back with medals and representing our school with pride.
“I am very proud of our students efforts and for representing our school so well against such tough competition.”
The multi-class events at the championships include the long jump, shot put, 100m, 200m and 800m, with students winning their way through to the event via their regional titles.
Although all three students have previously competed at the championships, it will be the last time for Egan, who has been a regular fixture across athletics, cross country and swimming state championships over the years.
“She (Egan) has done the school really proud and she’s enjoyed competing,” Allen said.
“She’s been competing at state level since she was 13 or 14 and it’s been amazing to watch her journey from when she started to now.
“She’s a really good runner and even though she didn’t medal in the 100m or 200m, she got it in the long jump, which was a really good competition. She should be very proud of herself.
“She’s also a really good swimmer and I think competing at this level has really added to her schooling, as it has for Darryl and Claire as well.
“Darryl was terrific also. The 17 and 18-year-old boys age groups were very competitive with full fields and racing against some very good competitors.
“Darryl ran low 12 seconds, which was very impressive and he had to do his absolute best to get a medal, which was really good to see him do.
“Claire is just a little superstar, she has a few years left yet and there’s no reason she can’t follow in the footsteps of the other two and compete at multiple championships.”
