REVIEW: NSW Junior Championships

Published Mon 24 Feb 2020

24 February 2020

REVIEW: NSW Junior Championships

The 2020 NSW Junior Championships showcased the next generation of Olympians. Here are some of the highlights across the track and the field.

U16 girls sprints

What a generation we have emerging here. Brilliant gold and silver medallists in the 100m, Gabi Taylor (NS LAs, 12.17) and Aleksandra Stoilova (WES, 12.23) missed the podium in the very strong 200m, where 400m sprinters added depth. Olivia Inkster (UTN, 57.21), silver in the 400m, was second in the 200m in the very quick time of 24.31, won by Newcastle’s standout sprinter Torrie Lewis (MQH) in 24.10. Sutherland’s Emma Lee managed to place third in both sprints in the times of 12.23 and 24.73. Mudgee’s Alesha Bennetts won the 400m in 56.78 and was fifth in the 200m (25.27) and fourth in the 100m (12.33).

800m depth in the women’s

There was a number of high quality 800m runs by the girls, all close to the World U20 Championships standard. In the under-20s Matilda Ryan (BLM) held off Jaylah Hancock-Cameron (BAN) 2:09.14 to 2:09.53. Another Blue Mountains athlete, Georgie Purcell was very quick in the under-18s clocking 2:11.07. While in the under-17s Newcastle’s Montana Monk (MQH) ran 2:10.62, the morning after she clocked 56.55 in the 400m at the Sydney Track Classic.

World U20 Championships

There were few already qualified World U20 athletes competing, while many others pushed the standards during the weekend.

Qualified in the 100m, Monique Quirk (CBT) won the under-20 100m in 11.90. Caitlyn Ferrier won the under-20 400m in 55.17, then added the 200m title in 24.59. Wollongong high jumper Rosie Tozer too two attempts at the World U20 standard of 1.82. At the Track Classic she negotiated 1.78m, before missing 1.82m, then on Sunday at the juniors, she cleared 1.79m, but again missed 1.82m. In the under-17s, the rising talent Erin Shaw (UTN) equalled her high jump PB of 1.77m, before missing 1.79m.

Trinity triple jumper Desleigh Owusu continues to jump consistently in the high 12s, bounding out to 12.81m to win the under-20s. Sam Dale (CHE) who has a long jump qualifier leapt 6.05m in the under-20 event. Lianna Davidson (ASW) launched her second longest javelin throw of the summer reaching 49.69m and remaining close to the standard of 51.10m.

The men’s under-20 sprints were of the highest standard. In the 100m Zen Clark (BAH) overcame slipped blocks to clock 10.92 in the final. His dad, and coach Darren, considers he is a strong prospect of qualifying in the 200m, and over the weekend ran 21.53 in the heat and 21.62 in the final into a strong -2.1m/s wind. In the 400m, Keegan Bell (HIL) went for it in the 400m heat, clocking a lifetime best of 47.07, backing it up with a 47.68 final.

In the field, pole vaulter, Ethan Princena-White (BAN) raised his PB from 4.85m to 5.00m, before unsuccessful attempts at the World U20 standard of 5.13m. Ashlyn Blackstock (EAS) threw 46.48m to win the under-17 discus and also won the shot with 14.90m.

Close battles for Teagan Neich

Two gold and one silver was the medal tally for Sutherland thrower Teagan Neich. In all three events, she was involved in close battles. In the discus she went from third to second on the last throw, nearly taking the gold. In the shot, she took a commanding lead in the first round putting 12.66m and managed to hold off a late charge from Jessica Richardson (MQH) with 12.57m. In the hammer throw, it was see-sawing battle with training partner Renee Hardy (SUT). Hardy led early, but Neich bounced back and survived a last attempt throw by Hardy which came within 24cm.

Damita Betham treble

Nothing could stop Damita Betham (CBT) in the under-15 sprints, as she took a rare sprint treble in times of 12.42 (100m), 25.23 9200m) and 56.86 (400m).

Great walkers

NSW’s rising crop of race walkers were ever present again at the championships. Milly Broughton (RBH) won the U15 3000m walk (14:38.49), Elizabeth McMillen (SYP) won the U17 5000m walk (25:53.76) and Allanah Pitcher (MIN) U18 5000m walk (23:46.70).

Approaching Paralympic Games standards

Rio Paralympian Tamsin Colley (HIL) T36 and Mali Lovell (UTN) T36, were close to an Athletics Australia B qualifier for the Tokyo Paralympics. Lovell clocked 32.15 and Colley 32.42, just outside the standard of 31.60.

Great racing in boy’s distance events

The under-16 800m and 1500m events saw Nathan Stanmore (BAL) take an impressive double in very good times of 1:57.00 and 4:04.52. He defeated Michael King (MOU) in both, himself clocking times of 1:57.50 and 4:07.49. On paper the under-20 800m was a very open race, but Youth Olympian Anthony Vlatko (RBH) prevailed in 1:52.28, from Angus Beer (NEW) 1:52.80, Luke Cunningham (TR) 1:52.88 and Lawson Fittler (ARM) with 1:52.95. Talented Trinity pair Ethan Brouw and Thomas Virgona found themselves in fifth and sixth. Brouw had earlier won the 1500m in a see-sawing battle with Angus Beer.

Newcastle and Hunter dominate U20 long jump

Four of the top-5 places in the under-20 boys long jump were filled by Newcastle athletes. Sam Taylor (MQH) won with 7.05m, from Raymond Terrace’s Liam Fairweather (7.03m), Ben James in fourth (6.52m) and Leroy Reid fifth with 6.37m.

James Gladman dominated

T41 athlete, James Gladman (HIL) won four gold in the Ambulant 100m (16.31), 200m (34.70), long jump (3.09m) and discus (21.49m). He also added a silver in the shot (7.18m).

Liam Coles outstanding

Despite a hamstring injury mid-championship, Central Coast’s Liam Coles (TOU) claimed three gold and a silver in the under-15 events. He won the 100m (11.62), 100m hurdles (14.16) and 200m hurdles (28.47). He added a silver in the 200m (23.74) and was fourth in the long jump (5.77m) and triple jump (11.81m).

Charlie Jeffreson double

Two months after 15-year-old Charlie Jeffreson (KIN) clocked the astonishing meet record winning time of 1:53.39 in the under-16 800m at the Australian All Schools, he has very comfortably claimed the NSW under-17 400m and 800m double in times of 50.55 and 1:57.35.

Jack Greaves all class

Probably the most comfortable win of the weekend was achieved by Trinity javelin thrower Jack Greaves with a massive throw of 66.24m in the under-17 event.

Some notable doubles:

Ebony Newton (RAY) U16 90m hurdles (13.24) and 200m hurdles (28.72)

Alexia Kalamvokis (ILL) U16 20000m steeplechase (7:13.99) and 3000m (10:15.52)

Jessica Laurance (CBT) U18 100m (12.29) and 200m (24.60)

Shari Hurdman (POR) U14 100m (12.89) and 200m (25.77)

Ivy Boothroyd (SUT) U14 400m (60.06) and 800m (2:17.99)

Ellen Murphy (BAL) 90m hurdles 13.33 and 200m hurdles (29.42)

Rashid Kabba (WES) U16 100m (11.28) and 100m hurdles (13.19)
Ben Stevens (TR) U16 shot (16.43m) and discus (54.50)

Max Mandera (KNO) U18 100m (10.99) and 200m (21.70)

Joshua Atkinson (HIL) U18 400m (48.07) and 800m (1:52.97)

Dylan Hall (KNO) U14 100m (11.90), 200m (24.16) and long jump (5.83m)

Michael Ajaka (CBT) U14 discus (36.68m) and U14 shot (15.48m)