By Damien Cogill
WHAT an amazing weekend it was for Noosa Nippers at the State Youth Championships at Maroochydore Beach on the weekend.
Noosa brought home eight gold medals – that’s right – state champions in eight events; plus three silver medals, five bronze medals, numerous finalists, PBs, some best placings topped off with some good old fashion grit and determination by our team competing with the top competitors in the State.
Congratulations to state under-15 champion Cooper Williams, who took out the Matthew Barclay Memorial under-15 State Ironman Championship. In a golden hour on Sunday he also picked up gold in the board race, and in the surf race as a warm up. On Friday, Cooper outsprinted and outswam his fellow competitors to win gold in the rescue tube race.
Our under-11 girls had a stellar weekend, picking up gold in the beach relay as well as a bronze in the Cameron relay – well done Letitia Fox, Sara Maxwell, Bella Smith, Francesca McKinlay and Fran Cogill.
Our under-12 girls were also on fire, winning an exciting final in the board relay – a great effort by Maggie Harmer, Charlotte Lethbridge and Georgia Lorentson. Maggie and Charlotte also took home bronze in the under-12 girls board rescue.
Jarvis Pattinson produced one of the runs of the carnival to bring home gold in the under-12 1km beach run. Showing he is an all-round competitor, Jarvis joined with Zale Outram, Luca Reeve and Carl Vaughn to make the final of the under-12 surf teams, where the boys placed 8th.
Electra Outram topped off a great state titles, bringing home gold in an amazing under-14 female board final – Electra was fantastic.
Special mention to Emily Lethbridge and Riley Dixon who also paddled out of their skins to see Emily bring home bronze – and giving Noosa three board competitors in the top six in the state.
While these were the top results, in every age group there were outstanding efforts and achievements. Every competitor representing Noosa should be proud of themselves.
OTHER RESULTS
SILVER
Under 14 Iron woman: Electra Outram.
Under 14 Girls Board Rescue: Riley Dixon and Electra Outram.
Under 15 Boys 2km Beach Run: Angus Luhrs.
BRONZE
Under 11 Girls Cameron Relay: Fran Cogill, Letitia Fox, Francesca McKinlay and Bella Smith.
Under 12 Girls Board Rescue: Maggie Harmer and Charlotte Lethbridge.
Under 14 Girls Board Relay: Riley Dixon, Emily Lethbridge and Electra Outram.
Under 14 Girls Board: Emily Lethbridge.
Under 14 Boys Board Relay: Kane Hart, Hayden Lumsden and Jayden Morrow.
STATE FINALISTS
Under 11 Female Beach Sprint: Letitia Fox – 5th.
Under 11 Female Surf Team: Bella Smith, Josephine Webb, Francesca McLinlay, Belle Anderssen – 5th.
Under 12 Female 1km Beach Run: Mia Woodburn – 6th.
Under 12 Female Surfboard: Maggie Harmer – 6th.
Under 13 Surf Race: Jayden Morrow – 4th.
Under 13 Male Surf Team: Jack Fray, Tim Moody, William Moore and Jayden Morrow – 6th.
Under 14 Female 2km Beach Run: Emily Lethbridge – 5th.
Under 14 Female Iron woman: Riley Dickson – 4th.
Under 14 Female Surf Board: Riley Dickson – 6th.
Under 15 Female Surf Race: Mia Smallman – 6th.
