NSW Athletics Open, U23 titles: Teens grab limelight at meet with wins and world junior qualifiers

Old faces, familiar names and rising stars competed shoulder to shoulder at the NSW Athletics open and under 23 championships. So who were the stars and standouts?

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

3 min read

February 21, 2022 - 3:30PM

NewsLocal

Katie Gunn from Bluehaven in the long jump.

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A few weeks ago teenager Katie Gunn shocked herself when she jumped an 8cm PB.

On Sunday night the Central Coast long jumper also produced a head-turning performance when she jumped a second world junior championships qualifier for a third place at the NSW open championships.

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Katie Gunn from Bluehaven in the long jump.

“I am thrilled,’’ said the Bluehaven athlete.

“I also jumped one (a qualifier) a few weeks ago in Maitland so this is wonderful.’’

Gunn is hoping to continue to show consistency by producing another big performance in less than a week at the NSW Junior titles at Sydney Olympic Park.

Tomysha Clark from Miranda in the long jump.

SURPRISE WIN FOR TOMYSHA CLARK AFTER ‘HORRIBLE LEAD-UP

The event was won by Tomysha Clark from the Illawong club with a 6.34m.

Second was Brittany Carroll 6.24m with Gunn third 6.17m.

Clarke said she was shocked at the wind because she has been “jumping horribly’’ in recent times.

“I was not expecting that,’’ said the 19-year-old who goal this year is to make the Commonwealth Games team.

Abbie Taddeo from Kiama Downs,

ABBIE TADDEO CHASING COMMONWEALTH GAMES DREAM

Abbie Taddeo has amped up her bid to make Australia’s Commonwealth Games team later this year with a special performance at the NSW championships.

Taddeo produced a PB in the 100m hurdles won by Victorian Celeste Mucci in 12.99

Taddeo ran a time of 13.02.

“It was very close to a sub 13 so I will take it,’’ said a delighted Taddeo whose goal is the 12.84 Games qualifier.

L-R Abbie Taddeo from Kiama Downs, Michelle Jenneke from Dural and Georgia Fichardt from North Wahroonga.

Michelle Jenneke, representing Sydney Uni, posted a time of 13.44.

Jenneke is now based on the Gold Coast.

“I have a very soft spot for the Commonwealth Games,’’ Taddeo said.

“I have always just loved it. I went to a Youth Games when I was younger and so this has always been a goal.’’

Asim, Abdoulie from UTS. North won the men’s race in 20.98 from Andrew Goschnik (21.31) and Joshua Azzopardi (21.48).

Charlie Jefrferson from Hunters Hill winning the 800m.

YOUNG GUN CHARLIE JEFFRESON LIVES UP TO EXPECTATION

Teenager Charlie Jeffreson was the star of the men’s 800m on the final night of the NSW championships.

Jeffreson, representing The Kings, produced a time of 1:53.68 to win the race from Riley Mcgown (1:53.75) and Luke Young from the Newcastle Flyers (1:54.00)

Montana Monk from the Newcastle Runners won the women’s event in 2:07.13 from Lora Roff (2:07.87) and Amy Bennett 2:08.4.

Allegro McGivern from the eastern suburbs in the steeple chase.

SCHOOLGIRL ALLEGRA MCGIVERN SNARES OPEN NSW RECORD

She was the youngest and smallest athlete in the race but this teenager won a surprise and NSW crown in one of the toughest races at the NSW open championships.

Schoolgirl Allegra McGivern raced off with the honours in the 3000m steeplechase at the NSW athletics open and under 23 championships at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.

The year 12 schoolgirl from Bondi, who goes to Kambala, said she was surprised she had taken the crown and happy with the result.

Allegra McGivern from racing the steeplechase

But she has big plans for a rapid improvement between now and next weekend when she races at the NSW Junior championships.

McGivern has her sights set on a world junior qualification time of 10.36 - a mark she believe she is close to and can attain at this weekend’s NSW junior championships.

“That was good. I’m happy with it,’’ McGivern said.

“I didn’t get the qualifier but hopefully that comes at the juniors.’’

Taylor Doyle from Kellyville competing in the long jump.

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Doyle on Sunday finished fifth in the ambulant long-jump on the final day of the NSW Open and Under 23 championships at Sydney Olympic Park.

“I’ve been out for two years but I’m back and loving it,’’ said Doyle, 29, who competed at the Rio Paralympics before being sidelined by injury.

Steve Solomon raced the 400m at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Pic: John Appleyard

STEVE SOLOMON SETS SIZZLING TIMES IN 400M

EARLIER: Tokyo Olympian Steve Solomon from Sydney’s eastern suburbs produced two sub-45.5 times on the opening days of the NSW Championships at Sydney Olympic Park - the fastest by a local in Australia in 12 years.

Solomon ran a 400m heat time of 45.28 on Friday and followed up a day later with a 45.39 in the final.

Solomon ran a time of 44.94 in Tokyo.

Melinda Gainsford-Taylor is now a coach.

MELINDA GAINSFORD COACHED TEEN OLIVIA ROSE INKSTER SHINES

Teenager Olivia Rose Inkster turned plenty of heads early in the meet with her win in the 100m.

Allambie Heights 17-year-old Inkster is coached by Australian Athletics great and former Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor who won seven titles in her heyday.

Inkster recorded a slightly windy times of 11.72 and 11.76, along with a wind-legal 11.92, and shared her win with Illawong’s Monique Quirk.