LOCALS shone on the Queensland stage at the Little Athletics Queensland state championships in Townsville over the weekend, with Redlands athletes racking up an impressive medal tally.
A team of 45 athletes from Redlands Little Athletics competed at the Townsville Sports Reserve among about 1400 other junior athletes from across the state.
Redlands came away with 14 gold medals, 19 silver and 13 bronze, winning one medal per athlete on average.
"This was our best result for many years and compares favourably to 2017 where we amassed a total of 29 medals from a team of 42 athletes," centre manager Rodney Clarke said.
"The club attributes its success at the event to its hard working committee, officials and coaching structures all of which designed to provide the necessary frameworks and support of all its athletes."
He said competition highlights included two silver medals in the boys 100 metre sprint finals, the first medals in the event for several years, and the dominance of Redlands racewalkers, with six medals won.
Mr Clarke said nearly 80 per cent of Redlands athletes achieved at least one personal best across the three-day championship.
Capalaba athlete Jake Hambrook-Smith, who represented Mount Gravatt Little Athletics club at the state championships, also had a successful competition.
Hambrook-Smith came away with a gold medal in the 700 metre walk and personal bests in shotput and discus.
Thanks to their stellar performance at states, six Redlands athletes have been selected among the 40-strong Queensland team to compete in Hobart next month at the Little Athletics Championships.
Kynan Coombes, Zephyr Marlin and Zane Pearce will represent Queensland in the U13 boys team, while Redlands teammates Anika Clarke, Daniela Hankey and Kalliyan Seremet will represent the U13 girls.
"This is the most representation ever in the event with strong medal chances present," Mr Clarke said.
