NSW All Schools Championship: Day one stars, standouts, results and photos
There’s been some head-turning and record-breaking performances from city and country young guns on day one of the NSW All Schools. The stars, standouts and top results.
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Some of the best young athletic talent hit the track at the NSW All Schools at Sydney Olympic Park for day one of the annual championships seen as a breeding ground for future stars of the sport.
There were records set, PB’s smashed and some stunning performances from both city and regional athletes.
Check out the coverage below.
GRACE KRAUSE SHATTERS RECORD
One of the stars of the opening day, Temora High School student Grace Krause, set a new All Schools mark for the 14 years triple jump with her mighty leap of 12.33.
It was an astounding performance from the youngster.
“My best before this was 11,’’ she said.
Grace, who lives on a cropping and sheep farm, took up athletics with a girlfriend when eight and has been on the rise every since.
The triple jump is just the start of a busy program with Grace also contesting the 100m, 200m and long-jump at the meet.
BILLY BLAIR OVERCOMES INJURY HURDLE FOR TITLE
He broke his leg six months ago so it’s no surprise Billy Blair really didn’t have a great handle on how he would go at the NSW All Schools.
It’s why the St Joseph’s College student from Balmain surprised even himself with his winning time in the 200m hurdles for 14 years.
Subject to ratification, the young gun took five 100ths of a second off the meet record set in 2019 with his time of 26.27.
“I didn’t expect that to happen,’’ said the 14-year-old athletics talent.
“Six months ago I broke my leg so I have only been back running for a little bit.’’
Singleton's Ethan Williams was second in 27.73 with Callum Cheung from Sydney Grammar third in 28.24 0.8
KIPCHUMBA LANGAT CHASING AUSTRALIAN SELECTION FOR U20 WORLDS
Schoolboy Kipchumba Langat has his sights set on representing Australia at the world U20 championships in 2021 so it was no surprise the 17-year-old came out hard at the NSW All Schools.
The Wagga athlete, hoping to pursue a career in medical engineering, was a clear winner in the boys triple jump 17 years at NSW All Schools.
“I’ll definitely be trying to give it a go,’’ said the teen of chasing a spot in the world junior team.
“The last few years I’ve had an injury problem with a torn tendon in my knee but I’ve been seeing big improvements recently.’’
Kipchumba (14.62m -1.6) won from Trinity Grammar William Moir (14.56m -0.7) with
Bailey Morris form Elderslie High third (13.35m -0.2).
SOUTH COAST SPRINTER LILY WINWARD RUNS OFF WITH TITLE
In the 16 years 800m final it was Lily Winward who stole the show.
The Ulladulla High student ran a time of 2:13.49 to finish ahead of Ada Rand (Meriden School 2:17.23) and Adelaide Marshall (Domremy) 2:18.78.
“It’s not a PB, that’s 2.13, but a win is a win,’’ said Batemans Bay athlete Windward, who has been running seriously for the past two years.
DANIEL OKERENYANG JUMPING FOR JOY
Another Wagga product Daniel Okerenyang produced a stunning performance in the boys 14 years triple jump early in the day.
The youngster, from The Riverina Anglican College in Wagga, came up with a 13.51m to go from No. 3 in his age group to No.1. He is also better in the event than any 15-year-old in Australia.
Xavier Hennessey from Gilroy Catholic school was second and Owen Chandler from Epping Boys High finished third.
RISING STAR DELTA AMIDZOVSKI IN FINE FORM
If you don’t know the name yet it's a good bet you will soon.
Delta Amidzovski claimed the girls 200m hurdles crown in a convincing performance at the start of a busy meet.
The rising star of the sport will also race the 100m, the 90m hurdles and do the long jump at the championships.
She ran a 28.65 to win the title from northern beaches gun Lucy Scholtens (29.16 -1.4) second and Ascham School’s Madeleine Gregg third (30.45 -1.4).
The Albion Park athlete is hoping for a summer of success in the sport by doing a under 20 world championship qualifier in the long jump at some stage.
SARAH CLIFTON-BLIGH SETS SIGHTS ON COMMONWEALTH GAMES
It will be hard to find anyone more excited about competing at the NSW All Schools than Sarah Clifton-Bligh.
The young gun from PLC Sydney has her sights set on making the Commonwealth Games team in Birmingham next year.
On Thursday she was one of the first medallists of the All Schools meet with her success in the U17-19 para wheelchair 100m.
“I am beyond excited about it being at the Commonwealth Games,’’ said the 17-year-old wheelchair racer who will also race the 200m and 800m.
“I’m just going to try really hard to get there. It’s thrilling,’’ she said.
SAMUEL PERKINS WIN 16 YEARS HAMMER THROW
He’s the nephew of an Australian Olympic Olympic Karyne Dimarco so sport runs in his veins.
So does success.
Samuel, 14, from Rooty Hills High School tasted an early victory at the championships with his win in the hammer throw.
Samuel said he was encouraged to try the sport five years ago because of his height.
“I’m now six foot three,’’ said the Penrith athlete who also plays school volleyball.
“I juts liked it.
“The goal is to go to an Olympics like my aunt.’’
Samuel won with a throw of 56.92m to finish ahead of George Shahla from Carlingford (54.56m) and Daniel Sacadura from Cherrybrook (44.88m).
Quiet before the storm. Big day ahead at the NSW All Schools athletics championships pic.twitter.com/J0cLU2toxN
— amanda lulham (@amandalulham) December 8, 2021
OLYMPIANS WHO STARTED THEIR CAREER AT NSW ALL SCHOOLS
It’s where the likes of our Olympic stars first competed seriously as youngsters.
The meet where Tokyo guns Rohan Browning, Jessica Hull, Bendere Oboya, Rose Davies, Georgia Winkcup, Ollie Hoare and Ed Trippas produced head-turning performances during their time at school.
And where a superstar like Nicola McDermott, sprinter Matt Shirvington and javelin thrower Mackenzie Little still hold meet records.
NSW ALL SCHOOLS STATS AND NUMBERS
The 2021 NSW All Schools athletics meet is at Sydney Olympic Park from Thursday to Sunday with a near record 1907 young athletes attending from 498 schools across the state.
Athletes from Sydney’s south, north, east and west will race those from the Central Coast, south coast, mid north coast, Newcastle and Wollongong with 30 records broken at the last meet and similar numbers on the cards this week.
Also in attendance will be young guns from Coffs Harbour, Albury, Maitland, Bathurst, Bourke, Tweed Heads and numerous others regional areas.
This sport extravaganza will see athletes, including 49 para athletes, compete in 370 events over the four days and it is where we might spot our future Commonwealth and Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes for the first time.
While some athletes are there for the camaraderie and enjoyment of sport, others will push themselves and set new PBs. And some of the older athletes are looking to impress as they chase national selection.
UNDER 20 MEN TO WATCH FOR AT NSW ALL SCHOOLS
The world under 20 championships will be held in Oregon in the US next year and there are a number of NSW athletes looking for big performances at the NSW All Schools to press their selection.
Some of the athletes to watch in this age group include Charlie Jeffreson (The King’s School), James Healey (Illawarra Grammar), Mitchell Lightfoot (Maitland High), Daniel Kelly (Katoomba High School), Patrick Cantlon (Trinity Grammar), Connor Bond (The King’s School), Aiden Princena-White (William Clarke College), Ciaran Rushton (The King’s School), Ben Jones (Kinross Wolaroi School), Rashid Kabba (Westfields Sports High) and Sebastian Ghisso (Trinity Grammar).
UNDER 20 WOMEN TO WATCH FOR AT NSW ALL SCHOOLS
In the women’s category keep your eye out for Aleksandra Stoilova (Westfield Sports High), Emma Lee (Inaburra School), Olivia Rose Inkster (Pymble Ladies College), Ada Rand (Meriden School), Karina Bell (Meriden School), Sienna Bond (Pymble Ladies College), Shola Adeniran (Westfield Sports High School), Monta Monk (Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College), Hayley Kitching (Coffs Harbour Senior College), Olissa Onley (Coffs Harbour High School), Georgia Fichardt (Abbotsleigh), Emily Smith (Stella Maris College Manly), Ashlyn Blackstock (Belmont High School), Tiahna Skelton (Callaghan College Jesmond Campus), Allanah Pitcher (Terrigal High School), Erin Shaw (Roseville College), Alexandra Harrison (St John Paul College Coffs Harbour) and Alyssa Lowe (Riverside Girls High).
RISING STARS OF NSW ATHLETICS TO WATCH AT NSW ALL SCHOOLS
They are young, extremely gifted and expected to turn heads at the NSW All Schools in Sydney this week.
These are some of our rising stars of NSW track and field to watch out for as they compete at an event that has been a breeding ground for our top athletes for decades.
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