NSW Juniors Preview: New kids on the block

7 March 2024

NSW Juniors Preview: New kids on the block

Nearly 1500 of NSW finest junior athletes will be in action this weekend at the three-day NSW Junior Athletics Championships at Homebush. The honour of NSW champion will be hard fought across competition in the under-14 to under-20 events. The championship lead to the Australian Junior Championships in Adelaide in April.

Dozens of our established emerging talent will be focused on hitting World U20 Championships qualifiers. Athletes like Izzi Louise-Roe, Jemma Pollard, Sebastian Sultana, Daniel Williams, Isaac Beacroft, Tim Forster, Paige Campbell, Ella Penman, Tayissa Buchanan, Fleur Cooper, Ada Rand, Delta Amidzovski, Alexandra Richards, Jasynta Lampret and Chelsy Wayne are all hoping to continue successfully on their pathway to Lima, Peru.

But who are some new names we will see in action over the weekend?

Annalise Blattman: U17 400m and 800m

Hailing from the Blue Mountains, in late 2023 15-year-old Annalise Blattman ran startling times in the 400m and 800m. In Perth in December at the Australian All Schools she won silver in the under-16 400m clocking 55.10 seconds - her third PB of the year representing a four second improvement. In the leadup to the championships Annalise also clocked a terrific 800m time of 2:10.73, going on to miss a medal in Perth by just 0.09 seconds.

She reflected on her championship.

“I was really proud of my achievements in the 400m as I improved my PB which was my main goal and gaining a junior world qualifying time was a bonus. I was a little disappointed with the outcome of the 800m although it was a great learning experience.”

Since Perth, Annalise has also been busy combining representative Touch Football with her athletics training.

Annalise’s journey in athletics started in tiny tots in little athletics, but she took a little break a few years ago.

“After having a break from sport during Covid I reignited my passion for running and rather than just compete at little A’s I decided that I wanted to start training. I began in late 2022 and this has made all the difference,” she said.

Annalise has been nurtured by local coach Kristine Purcell.

“Kristine is such a positive mentor who always knows just the right approach to take to get the best out of me. I am so grateful, and it certainly has allowed me to love my running more.”

Lian Anagnostopoulos: Under-18 Triple Jump

Going under the radar behind Australian under-16 triple jump record holder Daniel Okerenyang, is Balmain’s Lian Anagnostopoulos. Last December at the Australian All Schools, Lian exploded out to a wind assisted 14.73m to comfortably take the National title.

Lian reflected on the win.

“The Australian title in Perth was a great experience. I was the favourite coming in, but hurt my elbow the morning of the event which could have impacted my performance but with the support of friends, family and the team physio I was still able to pull off the win. I had a fun experience being with the team and bringing home the title.”

The achievement seemed to spur on Lian and in February he took his PB out to a terrific 14.95m.

He started athletes in under-13 after being successful at school carnivals. Of Greek heritage Lian is guided by former decathlete Leo Dulay.

“I have a great coach who is always there with tips, tricks and advice, and I am lucky to have a strong supportive squad.”

Cameron Bloem: Under-16 2000m Steeplechase

In one of the first events at the Australian All Schools in December, there was a runaway win by Hills District athlete Cameron Bloem in the under-15 2000m steeplechase. He arrived in Perth as a medal prospect with a PB of 6:21, but no one could have predicted he would run 5:59.05 to win by three seconds and take 11 seconds off the championship record. Cameron had set his goal at winning the title, but never expected to run under six minutes and smash the meet record.

He started his journey in athletes aged five in Little Athletics with Hills District. Under former Little Athletics great, and now coach Graham Garnett. Cameron has made a strong commitment to his nutrition and sleep in order to maximise strength and recovery. He also has an extremely supportive training group with Garnett.

Cooper Dabin: Under-16 Hammer Throw

World championship medal winning coach Ernie Shankelton has developed another fine hammer throwing talent in country NSW. Following the success of Ky Garratt, Ernie has been guiding Young’s Cooper Dabin who won the Australian under-15 All Schools title last December in Perth. Cooper threw 49.29m, to win by over six metres.

Reflecting on his win to this local newspaper, Cooper said, “I am really happy with the result. I had put in a lot of hard work leading up to the championship, and Ernie had set me up really well. I knew if I trusted my training, I was always in a good position to win.”

Cooper regularly makes the two-hour round trip to Cowra to train with Ernie and alongside another Australian champion Ky Garratt.

Maia Madden Khan: Under-18 100m, 200m, discus throw, long jump and shot put.

Maia Madden Khan is without doubt NSW best emerging all-round talent. Uniquely, she impresses in an unusual mix of events - no wonder she is marked as a heptathlete. She will compete in sprints, jumps and throws this weekend and is on target to medal in all five.

At the Australian All Schools in Perth Maia won bronze in the discus and relays and just missed the podium in the long jump and 100m. She is also a leading Australian touch footballer. Maia is coached by one of the best ever Australian heptathletes, Jane Jamieson – a dual Olympian and gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games and World University Games.

Lachlan Byrnes: U16 100m & 200m

UTS Norths sprinter, Lachlan Byrnes started athletics in Primary school, getting more serious two years ago in Year 7. He made it to his first Nationals – 2022 Australian All Schools, where he won silver in the 100m and 200m. After tasting success Lachlan was inspired.

“I was only training once a week, with more focus and dedication, and under Mel’s (coach Melinda Gainsford-Taylor) guidance, I am now attending more training sessions which has helped improve my results.”

At the 2023 Australian All Schools Lachlan competed in the 200m first up. Chasing his first National title, he placed second by the narrowest of margins – 0.001 seconds, with both athletes clocked at 22.48 seconds.

“Missing out on the gold in the 200m I was a little disappointed. This gave me huge motivation for the 100m where I won the gold, which was amazing,” said Lachlan.

He will start favourite for the under-16 100m and 200m this weekend, with Jack Proudford one of his main rivals.

Under-18 Girls Long Jump

One of the most interesting events will be the under-18 girls long jump with four very talented athletes battling for the podium. The field includes the Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Grace Krause, Australian All Schools champion Izzi Louison-Roe, heptathlete Maia Madden Khan and rising star Tara Hollyoak. Six metres may not be sufficient to medal here.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Cameron Bloem (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)

EVENT PROFILE:
What: NSW Junior Athletics Championships

Where: Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre, Homebush

Date: Friday to Saturday 8-10 March 2024

Time: First event: Friday 10am, Saturday 9am, Sunday 8.30am

More information: including entry lists, live results (on Athletics Live), athlete information, tickets, timetable and more https://www.nswathletics.org.au/events/200954/