NSW Combined Event Championships: Junior and Masters Review

18 January 2022

NSW Combined Event Championships: Junior and Masters Review

NSW Combined Event athletes battled warm conditions at the successful championships, held in Woden in Canberra and hosted by ACT Athletics in 2022. NSW’s two under-20 winners Hanna Tait (heptathlon) and Thomas Noakes (decathlon) are on track for a shot at the qualifier for the World U20 Championships at the nationals in April.

Heptathlon – Women U20
The women’s under-20 was a terrific battle with just over 200 points separating the medallists. North Coast’s Hanna Tait took gold with 4732 points, while defending champion Ella Koster (UTN) was second with 4540 points and Lily Tilt (HIL) third on 4509 points.

For Hanna, who lives on a family hobby farm with horses and cows at Whitman Creek’s, 30 minutes from Grafton, it was a very steady performance, just below her recent PB of 4846 points achieved in Brisbane last month.
“It was consistent and there were a few PBs which I was happy with,” said Hanna. “I probably couldn’t have expected anything too stella considering the preparation,” referring to her leadup which involved two weeks camping.
She led by 80 points overnight, but started day two with two personal bests in the long jump (5.41m) and javelin 37.80.

Her goal is at the nationals in April to qualify for the World U20 Championships. “I just need 71 more points in each of my events to qualify for World Juniors,” said Hanna who trains hard and particularly enjoys the grueling two-day event.
“It is really worth it, I love doing the hep and the preparation for nationals will be a lot better.”

Despite the challengers of living remotely Hanna seems to be progressing well with good family support.
“My mum and dad are really good and it has been good getting my ‘Ps’.
She travels to Coffs Harbour (one hour) and Grafton (half an hour) for specialist coaching. 
“I do a lot of training with Alex (Harrison, a high jumper) and Glen Thacker (coach) in Coffs and also train with Terry West in Grafton, they are really good to work with.
“I do my distance stuff on the roads and training on Terry West Oval (named after the coach).”
“I have my own hurdles, but no shot and javelin. Mum said if I make it to World Juniors she will buy me a javelin.”

For Ella Koster it was an over 100-point improvement on her win in 2021. Particularly strong for Ella was her high jump with a 1.62m clearance. Lily Tilt, who was the youngest in the field and is this season graduating from the lighter under-18 implements and hurdle specifications had a strong competition. Like Ella, her high jump was excellent (1.56m), along with her 100m hurdles 15.46.

Decathlon – Men U20
Thomas Noakes (WOL) may have only raised his PB by just four points, but would have gained confidence a big score is within him. He tallied 6152 points with just a jog in the 400m due to it being pushed onto day two.
“It was a PB overall which I was pleased with but not quite the result I was hoping for but what can you do under these circumstances – hot days and six events on one day,” said Thomas who has made significant progress in a number of events since last year.
“Javelin was great, pole vault was a PB. I recorded seven or eight PBs, so a great two days considering.”
He has a definite goal for his next competition.
“At Nationals I’m aiming for a World Junior qualifier of 7050 points, so I need another 900 points and with a good 400m, you never know.”

Second place was a great battle between ACT’s Patrick Watson-Howell with 5274 point and Hills athlete Blake Archer scoring 5249 points. Third NSW athlete was Jakob Masters (WES) with 4464 points.
Patrick had a great start with the best 100m (11.40) and high jump (1.80m) amongst the competitors. Blake Archer was strong in the throws with 14.00m in the shot and 40.94m in the discus.
 
Decathlon – Boys U18

In the under-18 decathlon it was a quality performance from Blue Mountains’ athlete Angus Clues. A regular in the multi-events, Angus was stepping up to the 10-event challenge after competing in the under-16 heptathlon last year.
“I was pleased with it I guess, I could probably improve. It was my first decathlon,” he said.
He has found the new implements a challenge.
“The shot put and discus are getting a lot heavier, but I feel like I can improve in those next year.”
On the weekend he scored 5809 and should achieve his goal of 6000 at nationals.

Silver medallist was Dubbo’s Kurt Rutter (5064 points) who last year was also second to Angus in the under-16 heptathlon. Kurt made strong improvement in the last 12 months in the high jump, long jump and 1500m.

Just 11 points behind Kurt, in third was Bankstown’s Uchenna Egbu who compiled an impressively consistent result scoring 5053 points. He certainly would have placed second, but for a no height in the pole vault. Impressively Uchenna was the leading athlete in the high jump, 1500m and 100m.

Heptathlon – Girls U18
The under-18 girls was an interesting battle between competitors from ACT and NSW. ACT’s Holly Dudziak (Woden) held a small lead after day one over NSW’s Helena Macarthur (ILL) 2033 to 1982 points, with ACT’s Erin Duncan (North Canberra) in third with a tally of 1703. But on day two Holly extended her lead to over 400 points to win with a score of 3509, as Helena held off Erin by just one point 3069 to 3068.
For Holly her strength was the track events (hurdles, 200m and 800m) along with the long jump. Helena was outstanding in the high jump, while Erin was best in the shot and javelin. 

Heptathlon – Boys U16
A strong field of seven athletes lined up in the under-16 heptathlon. Going into the last event, the 1500m, Michael Ajaka (Parramatta) led Canberra’s Blake Deery by 15 points, but a great run in the last event brought Blake the win with 2746 points from Michael with 2653 points - Michael won the NSW title. Blake had been outstanding in the high jump and long jump, and one of the best in the shot and 200m. Michael’s strength was in the throws with large wins in both events with marks of 14.65m (shot) and 37.65m (javelin). Bronze medallist Bailey Latanis (ILL) was the second quickest in the hurdles and 27 seconds faster than anyone else in the 1500m.

Heptathlon – Girls U16
It was terrific to see nine athletes lineup in the under-16 girls heptathlon. It was a see-sawing battle for the title between Piper Todd (BAN) and Jaide Almeida (ASW). Jaide had just missed the podium in last year’s under-16 event, while Piper had won the under-14 event.
After the first two events Jaide led, but a strong shot by Piper saw her seize the lead by four points after event three. Piper then extended that to just five points with a close 200m win at the end of day one. On day two Jaide regained the lead after a terrific 5.08m long jump. The javelin would be decisive with Piper launching the implement out to 34.37m, scoring 100 points more than Jaide. Piper now led going into the 800m and with her win in 2:40.82 the gold was assured. She tallied 2292points, ahead of Jaide’s 2188 points. Piper had been the lead athlete in the 800m, high jump (equal) and javelin, while for Jaide, she led the hurdles, high jump (equal) and long jump.

Piper Todd, who is coached by Gavin Beahan, Ron Thompson and Merv Kemp was generally pleased with her result.
“My total was pretty good. I could do better in some events, but you can’t always have a perfect day. My javelin and 800m were best.”

There was also an incredible battle for the bronze medal between Louise Lovell (UTN) and Lily Stewart (ASW). Going into the last event, the 800m, they were tied, but Louise strode home in the 800m to clock 2:48.95 and hold off Lily by just over two second to take the medal 2052 to 2042 points. Louise was strongest in the high jump and shot. Lily was second quickest in the 200m and one height behind the leaders in the high jump. 

Of note was the performance of Louise’s twin Sarah Lovell, who unfortunately three fouled the long jump. She had been in third place after day one where she was easily the best in the shot. After the disappointment of the long jump, she gallantly battled on to place second in the javelin and 800m, finishing the competition in sixth place with 1979 points.

Pentathlon – Boys U14
It was an easy win for Filtomas Finekifolau (BAN) over Blake Billingsley (CHE) in the under-14 Pentathlon 1165 to 672 points. Filtomas was particularly strong in the throws with 8.55m in the shot and 23.91m in the javelin.

Pentathlon – Girls U14
St George’s Sienna Latanis was a comfortable winner of the under-14 Pentathlon with a score of 1421 points, from ACT athletes Sehaj Kaur Badwal (916 points) and Ella Hamilton (784 points). Sienna was best in all five events with her throws shot and javelin outstanding.

MASTERS

Heptathlon
Caroline Ellis (NSW, 45-49), Raelene Campbell (ACT, 50-54) and Vicki Townsend (ACT, 55-59) were winners in their age groups in the two-day heptathlon. Vicki led most events with her hurdles (14.33) and shot (11.03m) most impressive. Raelene was the equal best in the high jump with a 1.31m clearance and fastest in the 800m. For Caroline her hurdles and javelin were her strongest events. 

Decathlon
Two athletes started in the grueling decathlon. EJ Davie (50-54 age) scoring 502 points, largely achieved in the shot, discus and 1500m. Zoran Novicic (UTN) won the 60-64 division with his best marks in the throws 7.09m (shot), 23.93m (discus) and 21.78m (javelin).

Pentathlon – Women
Six women lined up in their age divisions with two Caroline Ellis and Vicki Townsend also completing in the heptathlon concurrently.
Karella Lynch ACT defeated NSW’s Maddy Smith (HON) in the 35-39 years age. Karella held a small 10-point lead over Maddy going into the last event, the 800m, but a strong run by Karella saw her extend her margin to 142 points to win with a score of 1495 from Maddy with 1353. Strongest events for Karella were the 100m and long jump. Maddy was best in the throws – shot and javelin.

Heptathlon competitors Caroline Ellis scored 1321 points to win the 45-49 age division and Vicki Townsend 1849 to claim the 55-59 event. ACT’s Richelle Ingram scored 1438 points for victory in the 50-54 age. One of NSW finest combined events masters athletes, Christine Shaw won the 60-64 age. She was strongest in the hurdles (15.60), shot (8.28m) and javelin (23.54m). 

Pentathlon – Men
Similar to the women, two athletes competed in the decathlon and pentathlon. EJ Davie (50-54) scored 429 points for silver in his Pentathlon and Robert Mason (55-59) also silver with 429 points. The most outstanding masters athlete in the Pentathlon was Anthony Howlett (WOL) scoring 1763 points to claim the gold in the 50-54 division. From sprints to jumps, throws and distance events he was exceptional and the best in all five events across all masters competitors. Of note was his long jump - 4.50m, javelin – 38.79m and discus 29.82m.

Grant Carlton (HON) won the 35-39 event with 624 points, Daryl Ellis (WYO) the 65-69 age with 978 points and Andrew Lee (SUT) the 70-74 event with 541 points. 
Tony Idris, winner of the 55-59 event was just the second athlete over 1000 points, scoring a total of 1199. His best events were long jump (4.07m) and 200m (29.54).

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: U20 heptathletes Lily Tilt and Hanna Tait (courtesy of David Tarbotton)