NSW All Schools - Day 3 Review: Dan Williams leads the world; Perkins claims title #6 as we see all-time bests in the women’s 80
Published Tue 26 Sep 2023
25 September 2023
NSW All Schools - Day 3 Review: Dan Williams leads the world; Perkins claims title #6 as we see all-time bests in the women’s 800m and triple jump.
The performances went up a notch on the final day of the NSW All Schools Championships, led by a World leading performance by 800m athlete Daniel Williams. Sam Perkins competed a perfect NSW All Schools journey with a sixth consecutive title, while 16-year-olds Ivy Boothroyd (800m) and Izzi Louison-Roe (triple jump) recorded the best ever performances in the history of the championships.
DANIEL WILLIAMS - 800m 1:49.01 – World lead
Daniel Williams had unfinished business in the 800m after missing selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games where he had run only the 1500m.
“Since Commonwealth Youth Games, I’ve wanted to hit the eight,” Williams said. “I missed the selection time for that, and I wanted to see where I was at. I think all the 1500m training gave me a really strong base.”
Running in the 16-year 800m on Monday he certainly found out how is was going in the event – number one in the world !
After a strong first lap of 54.92, he was on target to break the meet record (1:52.38). Well clear of the field, he poured it on over the last lap to hit the finish in a stunning 1:49.01.
It was a PB by 2.81 seconds, the fastest time in history at the championships by nearly two seconds and the world leading time by a 16-year-old.
“The training had indicated that sub-1:50 for the 800m was really on the charts. It was a question of how much under I could run. I went through in about 54 high and negative split, so I can’t really ask for much more.”
IVY BOOTHROYD - 800m 2:05.12, 4th consecutive win and record
Rather than doing the 400/800m double, for her major comeback race since her injury last summer, Ivy Boothroyd concentrated on just the half-mile and it was easy to see why – she had something special planned. After passing the bell in second (62.28), behind 2:05 athlete Fleur Cooper, down the back straight Boothroyd accelerated away from the field, coming home in a brilliant 2:05.12, just shy of her PB. It was the best time in the history of the championships by nearly two seconds. It was her fourth 800m win at the championships in record time in her four years at the meet.
“It is not a PB; so close, but a good time for my first race back,” said Boothroyd.
What is her goal this summer as she chases World U20 Championships selection?
“If I keep training well, my aim is 2:03 or 2:02, but anything can happen.”
After her terrific runs late in 2022, including the NSW under-16 record of 2:04.90, she missed the remainder of summer and selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games, due to injury.
“It was hard seeing everyone competing,” Boothroyd reflected, as her training was restricted to rehabilitation work. “At times it was unmotivating, all I was doing was swimming and cycling, I couldn’t weight bare, but I’m glad I stuck with it.”
SAM PERKINS – sixth consecutive hammer throw title
Rooty Hill High’s Sam Perkins finished his NSW All Schools journey with a sixth straight win in the hammer throw – a rare achievement and the only athlete at the championships to achieve this feat.
Competing in the 19-years, he smashed the meet record by over five metres with his opening throw of 64.08m. It was also the longest throw in the 87-year history of the meet.
He controlled any pressure from the impending achievement.
“It wasn’t the best warmup, but I had to keep calm,” he said.
His aunty, Olympian, and co-coach Karyne Di Marco is bringing him along gradually.
“He is just taking little steps and certainly has the physical attributes for the event,” she said. “He should make world juniors next year.”
IZZI LOUISON-ROE – fourth title
Claiming her fourth title of the championships and her first record, Izzi Louise-Roe had no trouble winning the 16-year triple jump with second round effort of 12.81m, just 2cm short of her PB and exceeding the meet record by 37cm. Louise-Roe’s four jumps were better than any previous jump in the 87-year history of the meet.
DANIEL OKERENYANG – Triple jump record
Wagga Wagga year 10 student Daniel Okerenyang delivered another brilliant result in the 16-years triple jump. The Australian under-16 record holder, bounded out to a PB 14.90m, to smash the meet record by 41cm and record the championships third longest jump in history.
“A PB and I’m pretty happy with it as I haven’t done too much training due to footy,” he said. “There is definitely more there, but I felt good in all my phases.”
He reflected on the start of his career and his longer-term view.
“First time I did triple jump I really liked it, but it is pretty hard on your body so you need to take care.”
KY GARRATT – National champion is on the move
Cowra High’s Ky Garratt dominated the 16-years hammer throw and continues to progress after just a short time in the sport. His series of three throws over 60m and a best of 61.57m was not only a three metre PB, but exceeded his leadup form.
“I wasn’t expecting to go over 60m,” said Garratt. “In training in the last few weeks I’ve been pushing the 60m, but to get 61m was a surprise.”
Since last April, where he won the National title by nearly six metres in a PB of 58.09m, Garratt has made significant progress.
“Since Brisbane Nationals, I’ve been in the gym and it is great to see the progression. I’m in my fourth year of athletics and it has been a huge jump from when I first picked up a 3kg hammer and threw 30m.”
Garratt is fortunate to have access to international hammer throwing coach Ernie Shankelton who happens to live locally. “The training environment we have is a bit of fun but can be serious when required.”
SOME OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
There were two impressive runs in the 400m hurdles. Just back from the Commonwealth Youth Games, Matthew Hunt missed the 17-years record by 0.01 seconds, clocking 53.07 seconds. In the women’s 19-years, Ellen Murphy closed her long and successful six years at the NSW All Schools with a PB in a newish event, the 400m hurdles clocking 61.88 seconds. Later in the day she smashed her 200m best with 24.70.
There were only four athletes in the 19-years women’s long jump, but what a battle it was with just 9cm separating all competitors. Merewether High’s Aditi Kharel led in the first round, but the competition heated up in the last round when Sophie Dunn leapt into second and on the next jump Destiny Mcgoon responded going from fourth to silver.
After warming up with a discus throw win, Westfields’ Molly Goetz, the National junior bronze medallist, hit a PB in the 19-year hammer throw with her third-round effort of 51.31m. It moved her to sixth on the NSW All Schools all-time list and past her coach Karyne Di Marco (nee Perkins).
Westfields’ athlete, Rashid Kabba closed his NSW All Schools journey with a quick PB 200m time of 21.31. It was seventh fastest time in the history of the championships.
Two 16-year-olds John McDonald and Taurus Traino have had terrific battles over the short sprints at the championships. McDonald took the 100m 10.81 to 10.83, but Traino responded in the 200m taking the title ahead of McDonald 21.60 to 21.68.
There were no records in the 16-year boys 3000m, just great racing. The pace was solid with race walking superstar, Isaac Beacroft doing most of the leading. The kick down started at the bell when Inaburra Schools’ Jesiah Low and Sydney Grammar’s Julian Wylie swept past Beacroft to clock sub-62 final laps, with Low taking the win in 8:57.40 from Wylie’s 8:57.55. Beacroft closed in 63 seconds for a final time of 8:58.64 and the bronze medal.
Missed in all the excitement of two 16-year-old 800m records, North Coast’s Jade Kitching clocked a sensational 1:51.11 to claim the 17-years 800m title – a time that only World Junior 800m semi-finalist Charlie Jeffreson and now Daniel Williams have bettered at the championships.
Picton High’s Cody Hasler sealed the sprint double in the 17-years, winning the 200m in a PB 21.50.
In the 17-years throws, Commonwealth Youth Games discus champion, George Wells won his fifth title, only missed in 2022 due to Injury. He also won the shot put with a best of 17.20m.
David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Images: Daniel Williams (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)
