NSW All Schools Day 4 Review: Lightfoot quick over the hurdles

13 December 2021

NSW All Schools Day 4 Review: Lightfoot quick over the hurdles

There was a flood of records on the last day of competition at the 2021 NSW All School Championships with best ever performances in hurdles, 400m, 1500m and javelin events.

Running into a headwind, Maitland High’s Mitchell Lightfoot destroyed the 19-year 110m hurdles record clocking 13.62. It improved his recent 13.70 and maintained his Australian junior all-time ranking of number six.

“I couldn’t be any more happy with that run. I’ve been working pretty hard in the last couple of months and it is paying off,” said Mitch.

He is now on target to make the Australian team for the 2022 World U20 Championships in Columbia. He also has aspirations for senior teams and knows the challenge ahead.

“It is going to make me who I am to get there.”

During the weekend, many athletes set personal bests, but one was outstanding. Last summer Mali Lovell (Mackellar Girls) chased the T36 200m Paralympic standard of 31.60, clocking a best of 32.15. But yesterday at the NSW All Schools, Mali smashed per PB clocking 31.31 into a 1.5m/s wind. The performance puts the Melinda Gainsford-Taylor/Katie Edwards coached 17-year-old in a good position for selection in the Australian team for the 2023 World Para-Athletics Championships and 2024 Paralympics.

There was a flurry of meet records in the boys 1500m events with the 12 to 15 years records broken. In the 12 year event Will Cheshire (Newington College) led three athletes under the old mark as he took nearly five second from the old record. Will clocked 4:29.33, just ahead of Trent Alley (Primary School) 4:29.61, Joel Moresi (Carlingford High) 4:33.90. In the 13 year race, it was a largely solo effort from Matthew McLachlan (Trinity Grammar) as he sliced three seconds from the old record to clock 4:14.94.

Daniel Williams (Bishop Druitt College) has been one of the revelations of the championships and his story got even better on the final day with another win and meet record in the 14 years 1500m. He clocked 4:07.41 to just break Luke Young’s old mark of 4:07.46. Missing the old record by 0.01 seconds was Archie Nott (St Gregory’s College) with 4:07.47.

In the 15-years, two athletes ducked under the all 1500m record with Oliver Neate (St Joseph’s College) 4:00.23, edging 800m champion Jade Kitching (Orana High) 4:00.24.

In the girls 1500m events, just Philippa Quarrell (Primary School) broke the record clocking 4:41.07. In the 17 years, school mates at Coffs Harbour Senior College Hayley Kitching and Olissa Onley went 1-2.

Hurdles wins on day four added to some large medal hauls by a few athletes. In the 13 year 80m hurdles Tammin Lampret (Endeavour High) claimed gold number four with a time of 12.58. She had earlier won the 100m, 200m and 200m hurdles. In the 15 year 90m hurdles, Delta Amidzovski’s win in the 90m hurdles was her fourth gold for the championships. In the hurdles she clocked 12.64 seconds. She had earlier won the 100m and 200m hurdles. Delta also exceeded six metres in the long jump, clearing 6.06m. The mark was just ahead of 16 year long jump winner Sienna Bond’s (PLC) 6.05m leap.

For the boy’s 16 years 110m hurdles the winner was Rashid Kabba (Westfields) claiming gold number three. He clocked 14.12 in the hurdles, to add to his earlier 100m/200m sprint double.

Master coach Ray Russell is guiding yet another great talent. Tali Baltineshter (Moriah College) added over two metres to her PB in the 15-year javelin, throwing 47.25m. She also broke the meet record held by Tokyo Olympic finalist Mackenzie Little.

In the last track events of the championships, the 400m events, there was some impressive performances, including one record.

Tamworth’s Liam Gordon (McCarthy Catholic) had the honour of claiming the only sprint record of the championships, largely due to head winds. In his 15-year 400m he clocked 49.39, faster than the 16 year winner, to win by two seconds. He broke Luke Hamer’s record set 15 years ago.

In the girls 16-years event, Paige Campbell (Mamre Anglican), clocked a big PB of 54.00 – the third fastest ever time in the history of the meet. Her previous best was 55.77, set 13 months ago.

In the boys 17-years 400m a new name emerged off very limited training under master coach John Quinn. Timothy Sanki (Sydney Grammar) clocked 48.22 seconds to win by over one second.

It was a stunning four second PB on his seed time of 52.8, which was lowered to 50.17 in the heats.

“He (John Quinn) coached at my school when I was in year 9 and I meet him then, but only four months ago I started training seriously,” said Timothy.

However the signs of a fast time were promising after he recently ran 21.8.

The weekend theme of new finds in the sport continued in the 15-years boys 110m hurdles, with Mathew Basanovic (Port Hacking) a surprise winner in 13.99 seconds.

The former hockey player switched to athletics after breaking his knee last year. Mathew is the son of former Souths NRL player Adam Basanovic, who passed away when Mathew was young.

Mathew was appreciative of the competition and support he receives.

“I’m thankful to have such great competition in my age group, not just great athletes, but kind people.,” he said.

“I’m also thankful to my family because without them I wouldn’t have been able to get through and I have my dad in the sky watching me.”

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Mitchell Lightfoot (courtesy of David Tarbotton)