NSW All Schools REVIEW DAY 1: Sultan of Speed

24 September 2022

NSW All Schools REVIEW DAY 1: Sultan of Speed

Quick sprinting was a feature on day one of the 2022 NSW All Schools Athletics Championships being held at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush.

Despite very poor weather conditions, Sebastian Sultana clocked the fastest 100m time at the NSW All Schools for 23 years. Only Olympian Matt Shirvington (twice) and Scott Richardson, who both ran in the late ‘90s, have run faster than Sebastian’s quick time of 10.53. His win in the 17-years 100m, also took down the race record of 10.59 held by Josh Clarke. For Sebastian personally, it was a PB by 0.06 seconds.

“Conditions were terrible, I just went out there and just tried to have a good start and I did that,” said Sebastian.

In better conditions, how much faster does he think he can run?

“It was a headwind and rainy conditions so maybe 0.1 seconds.”

The former Rugby league and Oztag player quit those sports two years ago to concentrate on athletics.

In the 19 years 100m, Sebastian Sultana’s training partner Joseph Ayoade was almost as fast, clocking a big PB time of 10.61 – the 7th fastest of all-time at the championships. He defeated Knox Grammar’s Alexander Sherlock who recorded 10.74.

“I didn’t expect the time to be that fast especially considering the conditions,” said Joseph. “I haven’t tapered yet. The goal is top-3 at Nationals. I just finished year 12 and haven’t been at all training sessions, but the coach is looking at 10.3 for me this summer.”

Rhema Adelaja out to inspire others

After running under her PB in a slightly wind assisted 12.66 in the 12 years 100m heat, Rhema Adelaja, a student at St George Christian School Hurstville, won the final in a time of 12.92 seconds. She will attempt a unique treble, competing in the 200m and 80m hurdles later in the program.

Although she is very young, Rhema understands the influence she can have on others with her sporting achievements.

“My goal is to push myself to do the best I can be and inspire others,” she said.

Paige Campbell – quick again

Last year Paige Campbell clocked the third fastest 400m time in the history of the meet. This year, despite a toe injury, she clocked another quick time that only three athletes have surpassed in the meet’s history. Paige this year clocked 54.77, in a thrilling finish with Newcastle’s Jemma Pollard (Whitebridge High) who ran 55.21.

“I am only just recovering from a toe injury – sesamoids,” revealed Paige. “I’ve only been going at 70% for the last two weeks due to the injury.”

Xavier Perry chasing history

Xavier Perry started his journey towards a rare sprint treble in the 14-years. In the 100m he won comfortable in 11.46 into a headwind. He also coasted through his 400m heat in 54.63. 36-years ago his dad, Stephen Perry won this event in 52.32. Then, three years later in 1987, South Coast, future Olympian Paul Greene claimed the sprint treble in impressive times of 11.25/22.80/54.67.

Thrilling high jump

One of the most thrilling events, was the 15 years boys high jump between Sydney Grammar’s Jackson Dye and Kurt Michael. Jackson, the U16 GPS champion, arrived at the meet with a PB of 1.92m, but from his opening jump at 1.70m he maintained a clean sheet through to a new PB of 1.94m. At 1.97m he made two every good attempts, but ultimately the height would be a bridge too far on the day. Kurt also negotiated 1.94m too, but on his third attempt, handing the title to Jackson on countback. For Kurt it was an equal PB.

Twin gold for Annisha Reader

In the 12-years, Catherine McCauley student Annisha Reader claimed two comfortably victories. She started her day with a five metre win in the discus with a best of 40.16m. I t was short of her 41.43m PB.

“I was excited and not too nervous,” she said.

In the javelin, Annisha was incredibly consistent with her four throws around 30 metres – all capable of taking the title. Her best was 30.23m on her opening attempt, three metres ahead of the silver medallist Madison Cornish of Engadine High.

A PB in a busy program for Cooper Robb-Jackson

Barker College’s Cooper Robb-Jackson, a T38 class para-athlete won two gold and also had time to compete in an able-bodied 400m for extra competition. Cooper started his busy day winning the 12-14 years 100m in 14.05 from Coden Stenhouse. Running in the rain in the 800m Cooper sliced more that two seconds from his PB to clock 2:18.71. After a short recovery, he returned to the track to compete in the 14 year able-body 400m, recoding a near PB time of 62.17 seconds.

Olivia Rose Inkster out dips her coach Melinda Gainsford-Taylor

Two stars of Australia’s World U20 Championships campaign, Aleks Stoilova and Olivia Rose Inkster met in the 17 years 100m, with Olivia getting the decision with 11.97 to 12.11. Olivia’s coach Melinda Gainsford-Taylor had won the title in a fractionally slower time of 11.98 back in 1988. A close third was Melinda’s daughter Gabriella in 12.23.

In Brief

-Albury’s Xylavene Beale won the 16 years discus with a solid throw of 44.20m.

-In the 17 years high jump Epping Boys High’s Brendan Mannasz cleared a PB and the magical two metre barrier to take victory.

-A good start to his 8-event program, Angus Clues comfortably won the 16-years discus with a PB of 49.13m.

-Trinity’s Jozef Cluff claimed a double in the 14 years throws with 15.38m in the shot and 39.04m in the javelin.

-Ben Stevens dominated the 17-year shot with a three metre win in 17.64m – just shot of his PB.

-The 19 years boys shot was a terrific battle with Bryce Nolan (Westfields Sports High) getting the victory over Alexander Shahla 16.15m to 15.59m

-There was quick sprinting in the 15-year girls 100m, with National bronze medallist Holly Rea (Chevalier College) clocking 12.04 for the win ahead of National silver medallist Grace Krause (Temora High) 12.14.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Sebastian Sultana winning the 17-year 100m (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)