Schools Knockout: Trinity dominate, while Meriden and Mackellar on the rise.

Published Tue 17 Sep 2019

17 Sept 2019

Schools Knockout: Trinity dominate, while Meriden and Mackellar on the rise.

At the 2019 NSW School Knockout Trinity Grammar were unstoppable in the boys competition claiming all three divisions, but in the girls we saw the rise of two schools Meriden and Mackellar, while Pymble Ladies claimed the third senior title.

Held in glorious twilight conditions at Homebush on Wednesday September 11, the World Schools Games champions, Trinity Grammar won all three boys divisions. The Andrew Murphy managed athletics program compiled comfortable wins in the junior and immediate divisions, but in the open division Barker pushed them to the wire, with the final results Trinity 2160 and Barker 2150. Newington were a notable third with 2120 points. Trinity claimed the two relays, but Barker were strong in the field winning the two throws and the long jump.

In the immediate division Trinity won seven of the 10 events, while in the juniors Trinity won five of the eight events, but with two wins Westfields will be a team to watch in future meets.

A highlight of the day was the rise of Meriden in the immediate division and Mackellar Girls in the juniors. Strathfield-based Meriden Anglican School have had a great year, being awarded the most improved school at the recent prestigious IGSSA carnival based on their amazing performance of moving from 12th to 5th. Under the management of Olympian Nicole Boegman-Stewart they have over the last few years developed a strong athletics program. At the Schools Knockout they defeated Pymble Ladies College 2160 to 2130 points, with Abbotsleigh third scoring 2000. Meriden were strong across the program, winning three of the 10 events. The three event winners Nakeisha Brimble (long jump 5.53m), Ellen Murphy (200m 25.12) and Genevieve McKeown (javelin 30.87m) all set personal bests.

In the junior girls Mackellar 1865 points, defeated Pymble Ladies 1795 and Westfields 1700. With four wins from eight events it was no surprise Mackellar claimed victory. They won the 150m (Olivia Inkster 18.30) and 2x2x400m relay and the talented Emma Polikowski added two strong wins in the shot (13.89m) and javelin (32.09m) events.

Pymble Ladies College were runners up in two divisions and won the seniors girls with 2145 points, from Stella Maris 2125 and Ravenswood third 2075.

Pymble LC, managed by ex-national 400m hurdles medallist Debbie Walsham, won four of the 10 events. The three individual winners Sally Guthrie (400m 56.88), Imogen Gardiner (1000m 2:57.49) and Nicole Freestone (high jump 1.65m) had all been members of PLC’s World Schools Games team.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Meriden Anglican School (courtesy of Nicole Boegman-Stewart)

Full team results:

Women - Junior Girls

1) Mackellar Girls Campus 1865

2) Pymble A Ladies College 1795

3) Westfields Sports High 1700

4) PLC Sydney A 1630

5) Abbotsleigh 1530

6) Monte St Angelo 1410

7) Ravenswood School for Girls 1295

8) Pymble B Ladies College 1280