AFTER an extremely successful tournament in Bendigo on February 18–19, a cohort of track and field stars from the Wangaratta Little Athletics Centre are heading down to Melbourne next weekend for the State Championships.

A group of 15 athletes, across multiple age groups and disciplines, will represent Wangaratta at the State Championships.

Ashleigh Carty will be one to watch, following her five first place results in Bendigo (girls under 17 100m, 200m, javelin, long jump, triple jump), while young Ava Mullane and experienced campaigner Declan O'Sullivan will also look to secure victories at state level.

Mullane will compete in three girls under 10 track events – the 70m, 100m and 400m races – and said she was looking forward to the competition and also continuing Little Aths into the future.

"I'm very excited to be going to State, but also a bit nervous," she said.

"I have been coming to Little Aths for a few years now; my brothers did it so I wanted to start running and see if I could get better at it.

"I've been to State before for the relay but this time I'm competing in the 100m, 70m and 400m.

"I like seeing my friends, getting to do the runs and getting to compete with my friends.

"I think I'll keep doing running and Little Aths for as long as I can."

Under 16 competitor O'Sullivan will compete in the boys 100m, 200m, 300m hurdles and 400m, and said the Little Aths program was perfect for developing athletes.

"I've been doing Little Aths for about nine years; I started in the under sevens," he said.

"I love that young kids can come along (to Little Aths) and try athletics.

"They can come and hang out with their friends and run around and compete and if they want to take it to the next level, they can.

"I've been competing more the last few years and I went to State last year and competed in the relays before.

"My goal is definitely to compete more into the future."

The Wangaratta Little Athletics Centre is always on the lookout for parents willing to join the committee as without their help Little Athletics wouldn't keep going.

The group's end of season awards celebration is being held Friday, April 28, along with their annual general meeting.