Schools Knockout: Trinity dominate, while Meriden and Mackellar on the rise.

At the 2019 NSW School Knockout Trinity Grammar were unstoppable in the boys competition claiming all three divisions, but in the girls we saw the rise of two schools Meriden and Mackellar, while Pymble Ladies claimed the third senior title.

Held in glorious twilight conditions at Homebush on Wednesday September 11, the World Schools Games champions, Trinity Grammar won all three boys divisions. The Andrew Murphy managed athletics program compiled comfortable wins in the junior and immediate divisions, but in the open division Barker pushed them to the wire, with the final results Trinity 2160 and Barker 2150. Newington were a notable third with 2120 points. Trinity claimed the two relays, but Barker were strong in the field winning the two throws and the long jump.

In the immediate division Trinity won seven of the 10 events, while in the juniors Trinity won five of the eight events, but with two wins Westfields will be a team to watch in future meets.

A highlight of the day was the rise of Meriden in the immediate division and Mackellar Girls in the juniors. Strathfield-based Meriden Anglican School have had a great year, being awarded the most improved school at the recent prestigious IGSSA carnival based on their amazing performance of moving from 12th to 5th. Under the management of Olympian Nicole Boegman-Stewart they have over the last few years developed a strong athletics program. At the Schools Knockout they defeated Pymble Ladies College 2160 to 2130 points, with Abbotsleigh third scoring 2000. Meriden were strong across the program, winning three of the 10 events. The three event winners Nakeisha Brimble (long jump 5.53m), Ellen Murphy (200m 25.12) and Genevieve McKeown (javelin 30.87m) all set personal bests.

In the junior girls Mackellar 1865 points, defeated Pymble Ladies 1795 and Westfields 1700. With four wins from eight events it was no surprise Mackellar claimed victory. They won the 150m (Olivia Inkster 18.30) and 2x2x400m relay and the talented
Emma Polikowski added two strong wins in the shot (13.89m) and javelin (32.09m) events.

Pymble Ladies College were runners up in two divisions and won the seniors girls with 2145 points, from Stella Maris 2125 and Ravenswood third 2075.
Pymble LC, managed by ex-national 400m hurdles medallist Debbie Walsham, won four of the 10 events. The three individual winners Sally Guthrie (400m 56.88), Imogen Gardiner (1000m 2:57.49) and Nicole Freestone (high jump 1.65m) had all been members of PLC’s World Schools Games team.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Meriden Anglican School (courtesy of Nicole Boegman-Stewart)

Full team results:

Women - Junior Girls
1) Mackellar Girls Campus 1865
2) Pymble A Ladies College 1795
3) Westfields Sports High 1700
4) PLC Sydney A 1630
5) Abbotsleigh 1530
6) Monte St Angelo 1410
7) Ravenswood School for Girls 1295
8) Pymble B Ladies College 1280
9) Wenona School 1250
10) Stella Maris College 1180
11) Pymble C Ladies College 1150
12) PLC Sydney B 1000

Women - Intermediate Girls
1) Meriden Anglican School A 2160
2) Pymble A Ladies College 2130
3) Abbotsleigh 2000
4) Westfields Sports High 1980
5) PLC Sydney A 1875
6) Roseville College 1825
7) Ravenswood School for Girls 1760
8) Wenona School 1645
9) Monte St Angelo 1630
10) Meridan Anglican School B 1515
11) Pymble B Ladies College 1400
12) Pymble C Ladies College 1010

Women - Senior Girls
1) Pymble A Ladies College 2145
2) Stella Maris College 2125
3) Ravenswood School for Girls 2075
4) St Columba's College 2035
5) Pymble B Ladies College 1835
6) The Illawarra Grammar School A 1690
7) Roseville College 1645
8) Barker College 1525
9) MLC School 1430


Men - Junior Boys
1) Trinity Grammar School 1900
2) Westfields Sports High 1705
3) Barker College 1630
4) Knox Grammar School A 1620
5) The Illawarra Grammar School A 1560
6) Winmalee High School 1490
7) Newington College 1360
8) Endeavour Sports High School 1190
9) Knox Grammar School B 1060
10) Knox Grammar School C 880

Men - Intermediate Boys
1) Trinity Grammar School 2350
2) Barker College 2195
3) The Illawarra Grammar School A 1980
4) Knox Grammar School B 1935
5) Winmalee High School 1880
6) Knox Grammar School A 1815
7) Knox Grammar School D 1425
8) Knox Grammar School C 1350

Men - Senior Boys
1) Trinity Grammar School 2160
2) Barker College 2150
3) Newington College 2120
4) Westfields Sports High 2050
5) St Ignatius' College Riverview 1995
6) Knox Grammar School A 1700