The NSW All Schools, held over four days, produced some outstanding junior competition, and if the trend continues, NSW will hopefully see some outstanding under 20 talent, then hopefully onto senior ranks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In the world open championships just completed, many of the athletes who took part for Australia are former junior champions or competitors.
The current crop of young school students should be striving to achieve the same success.
Our own local girl, Sara Carli, is a classic example of this. She is a young lady who has been prominent in junior ranks but has now established herself as one of the best 400m hurdlers in the world.
Well done Sara on a fantastic effort, now bring on the Olympics.
But back to All Schools, and the talent displayed was some of the best we have seen.
It wasn't only the talent shown, it was also the number of athletes who took part, and semi-finalists or even athletes who may have missed the finals, could be just like Sara and move up the ranks as they get older.
Hanging in there and training - but not over-training, be committed but not obsessed, learn and listen, is the way to go, and progress at a steady rate.
Illawarra Blue Stars members had one of the best All Schools for some time, and top of the list has to be young newcomer to our club, Chelsea Ezeoke, who finished a very good 3rd in her 100m but backed this up with a brilliant 400m.
Running a new state All Schools record of 56.46, her win was full of power and talent, and she has to be one to watch as she progresses through the sport.
Also over 400m, Jonty Faulkner took out his first All Schools medal, running into 3rd place, with a solid 50.006. He is now showing consistency over this distance and a sub 50 secs is just around the corner. He also made the final of the 17yrs 100m.
Javelin ace Alex De Popolo finished a great 3rd in his age group, breaking his own personal best by a metre, whilst club mate, Charlotte Smith took out a good 4th placing in her javelin, and brother Joshua finished in 6th place in his age group.
IBS is continuing the tradition of producing javelin stars.
Our hurdling sisters, Grace and Ashlyn Adams, made the final of their sprints and this set them up for their hurdles, Grace taking out 2nd in her 400 hurdles, and Ashlyn finishing both 4th in the long and short hurdles.
Sprinter Emma Matthews ran a PB in her 200m, to finish in 6th placing in the final, showing the talent once again in the sprint events at this level.
Talented young high jumper Grace Shaw competed with a foot injury but still managed to take out 5th in the high jump, only beaten for 4th on a countback.
Andrew Lau contested a mini decathlon, and showed that this event may be his event to be considered as he gets older.
He took out 6th in discus, 5th in high jump, 8th in javelin, 4th in shot and ran the 400m also.
Dual registered athletes Alex Harris ran a solid 100m to just miss his final as did Calem Brow.
Both boys ran a low 12.28 in the boys 14yrs 100m, showing once again the talent over this distance. They also just missed the finals of the 200m, both finishing a good 3rd in their heats. These two boys are capable sprinters and will make more finals as they progress in the sport.
IBS will resume club competition this coming Sunday, with Round 4 to be contested. Athletes are reminded to be at the Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre at 2pm for first events to be underway by 2.30pm. Registrations are still being taken and athletes are also reminded to bring relay forms in stating their interest in being selected for state relays to be conducted in late November.
