Simplot Games 2024
Maribyrnong College has now competed in 8 Simplot Games and our athletes continue to represent our school and our country with great distinction. Here is how they went this year.
Once again, Maribyrnong College was well represented at the 2024 Simplot Games held in Pocatello, Idaho in the United States. It was the 8th year Maribyrnong College had been invited to the Games, the largest indoor High School Athletics meet in America.
Our team consisted of 8 of Maribyrnong’s finest athletes who competed in numerous events throughout the 3-days of competition, against some of America’s best High School Athletes in below zero temperatures outside the stadium.
Our team came away with outstanding results, with 2 silver medals and numerous top 8 finishes in the finals. All athletes made a final in at least 1 event.
Year 11 student Thushana Deenathayalan finished 2nd in the Girls Triple Jump with a best jump of around 11.5 meters. Her jump in the final was longer than her qualifying jump.
Year 12 student athlete Raveen Alwis finished 2nd overall in the Men’s Long Jump with a jump of nearly 7 meters in the final. Raveen’s jump in the final was a foot longer than his qualifying measure.
Year 12 student athlete Lara Sacaner placed 4th in the final of the Girls 1600m race.
Year 12 student athlete Sebastian Weickhardt finished 6th in the Triple Jump, year 10 student athlete Ella Leith was 6th in the Girls High Jump and our Girls 4 x 200m relay team finished 7th overall.
An amazing effort by our students who travelled 20 hours to get to Pocatello and, for most of the athletes, had never competed on the wooden indoor track.
Congratulations to our team and all involved in this experience.
Once again, we thank Simplot Australia for all their outstanding support and help in getting our team over to America to compete in this unique event.
The Score 150224
Once again, this week has seen MSA athlete’s competing in competition right around the world. Here is how they went:
Once again, this week has seen MSA athlete’s competing in competition right around the world. Here is how they went:
Football/Soccer
Melbourne City Defender and MSA Alumni Naomi Thomas-Chinnama has been named vice captain of the U20 Young Matilda’s side to compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 in Uzbekistan.
The tournament to be played from the 3rd of March to the 16th will see Australia grouped with Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, and Chinese Taipei.
Connor Metcalfe has returned to Germany and his side FC St Pauli after playing for the Socceroos. FC St Pauli lost to FC Magdeburg 1-0 but remain on top of the Bundesliga 2 table.
Simplot Games
Once again Maribyrnong College has sent a group of student athletes over to the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho to compete in the largest indoor High School Athletics event in the USA. The team comprises of:
· Lara Sacaner - 1600m
· Armani Mauriohooho 4 x200, 60m, long jump, high jump
· Josh Djatschenko 60m, 200m
· Thushana Sri Deenathayalan 4x 200, 60m, long jump, triple jump
· Sebastian Weickhardt 60m, long jump, triple jump
· Ella Leith 4x200, 60m, long jump, high jump
· Sass Jurson 4x200, 60mh, long jump, high jump
· Raveen Alwis 60m, long jump, triple jump
Competition begins on Friday morning our time. We wish our team of athletes all the best.
Badminton
Shrey Dhand has made it through to the final of the Oceania Championships being played in Geelong. MSA Alumni Jacob Schuler also made it through to the Semi Finals but was defeated by the top ranked New Zealander in straight sets.
Cricket
Maribyrnong College Alumni Tom Rogers has scored the sixth highest score in Australian one day domestic history with a career best 196 from 142 balls against NSW at North Sydney Oval. Tom smashed 15 boundaries and 15 sixes to help Victoria to a score of 311 in 48.4 overs.
Luke Plapp claims 3rd National title
When Luke Plapp was a student at Maribyrnong Sports Academy his vision was quite clear, become a World Champion. Since leaving MSA and entering the professional ranks of the cycling world, Luke has become so much closer to achieving that dream.
When Luke Plapp was a student at Maribyrnong Sports Academy his vision was quite clear, become a World Champion. Since leaving MSA and entering the professional ranks of the cycling world, Luke has become so much closer to achieving that dream.
Luke started at Maribyrnong Sports Academy in 2015 as a year 9 student and came to the school under the cricket program. He began cycling at the age of 12 to help him stay fit during the Football and Cricket seasons, and to also ride with his dad on the Sunday morning coffee run.
Strength and Conditioning coach at MSA Todd Carlon worked daily with Luke during his 3 years at the college and says he has never seen the leg strength that Luke displayed by any junior. “Luke's greatest advantage was his want to do more work than everyone else. Luke used to have a quote that he would use to motivate himself saying "Send It"“
Luke deferred his VCE year in 2018 to concentrate on the Junior World Championships, a decision which proved to be very fruitful. Luke won the Junior World Championship in both the points race and the Madison, and took silver in the Time Trial. This was the breakout year that was about to propel Luke into the stratosphere.
In 2020 he became the U23 National Time Trial champion and followed that up the following year by winning the open National Time Trial. In 2021 Luke was a part of the Australian Cycling Team participating at the Tokyo Olympics in the Team Pursuit winning a Bronze medal. In 2022 he was signed as a fulltime rider to the Professional team Ineos Grenadiers.
Luke has now changed professional teams and has signed for the Australian UCI WorldTeam, Team Jayco – AlUla. We look forward to keeping an eye on Luke’s performance on the World tour and we hope he will once again make his presence felt in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.