Athletics
2 April, 2024
Hill powers to victory
Horsham's Jett Hill won the 2024 Powercor Stawell Gift - Little Athletics Victoria Handicap 800m Final on Sunday.
The 12-year-old qualified for the final after winning his heat in a time of 2:10.493. In the final, starting off a handicap of 97, he stormed home in a time of 2:04.830 ahead of Nate Pokorzynski and Occy Hayes.
Jett's mother, Di, said they are super proud of his achievement.
"I was speechless. I am so proud of him. I had some tears in my eyes," Ms Hill said.
"There were some good runners there and we were lucky he didn't cop a huge handicap.
"With the Stawell Gift we thought we would have a go. We never thought he would win. It was a great feeling."
Jett said he was excited about the win.
"I was excited when I crossed the line and it hasn't sunk in yet," he said.
Di said that Jett's ambition is to be an Olympic runner. Di would also like to thank his coach, Ricky Price.
"I would like to say a big thank you to Ricky Price. He definitely wouldn't be where he is today without the support Ricky provides," Ms Hill said.
The win follows bronze at the state championships in the 400m recently.
In Hill's other events, the 100m and 400m, he finished fourth in the heats posting a time of 12.372 off a handicap of 12.5 and 55.017 off a handicap of 43 respectively.
In the final of the 400m, Jack Sawyer finished in ninth place with a time of 53.314 off a handicap of 62. He made the final by comfortably winning his heat with a time of 51.098 off a handicap of 76.
In the 100m, he finished his heat in third place with a time of 12.090 off a handicap of 13.5.
Indi Finn finished 8th posting a time of 57.034 off a handicap of 95 in her heat in the 400m. In the 100m, she finished sixth in her heat with a time of 14.273 off a handicap of 17.
The other athletes did well in their 100m heats. Henry Taylor finished third in a time of 12.127 off a handicap of 24.75, Joel Plazzer finished sixth with a time of 12.612 off 19.5 whilst Mitchell Sawyer finished sixth.
Stephanie Plazzer ran a time of 13.210 off 20.5 and finished in fourth whilst Hannah Plazzer finished third in a time of 13.299 off 9.25.
Georgia Foster put in a good run to qualify for the semis in the 100m. She was the only back marker to do so, running a time of 12.870. In the semifinals, she ran fifth with a time of 12.916.
In Foster's main event, the under-18 girls 100m, she ran fifth in her heat in a time of 12.597.
Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, the 1600m in which Henry Taylor was due to compete was cancelled.