NSW Little Athletics titles: Day 1 stars, winners and grinners, best storylines, results and photos

In an extraordinary feat of organisation more than 2500 youngsters are competing in 300 plus events at the NSW Little Athletics this weekend. Day 1 stars, standouts and best stories.

The competition in the U 9 Girls Hurdles at the NSW Little Athletics State Championships at the Athletics Centre at Sydney Olympic Park. Pic: Jeremy Piper

It’s one of the biggest sporting events in NSW this weekend with around 2500 kids competing across 300 events over two days at Sydney Olympic Park.

And for the occasion the sun came out after a few hours of rain - along with some great performances.

The championships are extra important for a number of youngsters pushing their claims to make the U13 and U15 teams for the Australian Little Athletics Championships.

Here are some stories, standout performances and interesting results on Day 1.

NSW LITTLE ATHLETICS: BACKFLIPS, RECORDS, MEDAL HAULS

Isabel Nystrom from South Eastern in the U17 300m Hurdles (76cm). Pic: Jeremy Piper.

ISABEL NYSTROM AN EARLY WINNER AT NSW LITTLE ATHLETICS

A year after she contested her first 300m hurdles race Isabel Nystrom was one of the first young athletics to win a state title at the championships on Saturday.

From South Eastern, Isabel Nystrom posted a time of 43.79 to beat Manly Warringah duo Talia Kupceric and Lucy Scholtens.

“I just love athletics,’’ said the Randwick high school student who also plays football.

“Every day I can’t wait to train - it’s like therapy for me.’’

Isabel said her dream is to compete at a world junior championships and Commonwealth Games.

“To represent your country would be awesome,’’ she said.

“I’m willing to do the hard work.’’

Uchenna Egbu from Canterbury club in action in the U17, 300m Hurdles (76cm).

UCHENNA EGBU IN FINE FORM AT NSW LITTLE ATHLETICS

This Dulwich Hill athlete already stands head and shoulders above many of his rivals physically at 194cm.

At the recent Australian junior combined event championship he won the under-18 decathlon scoring 5422 points and won the same event at the state titles.

The hardworking Uchenna on Saturday won the U17 boys hurdles with his goal this season to push for a spot in the Oceania team with a top two result at the upcoming Australian athletics championships.

Aside from track and field, Uchenna also plays rugby league and basketball but loves “athletics and basketball the best’’.

Uchenna from Canterbury won his hurdles event vent in 38.79 3 to finish ahead of Mitchell Bradley from Prospect 39.76 and Travis Hargrave from Hawkesbury City 39.94.

Uchenna Egbu after his big win.

ALESHA BENNETTS OVERCOMES INJURY HURDLE TO COMPETE

Alesha Bennetts has had to overcome some pretty big obstacles to be at the NSW Little Athletics championships in 2022.

The young gun from Mudgee has spent months with either a moon boot or on crutches to overcomes a bone adema issue.

But she was back performing well on Saturday, with the young hurdler racing in the under 17 race.

“I’m happy with my season and my goal now is the nationals,’’ said Bennetts who finished fourth overall in her event won by South Eastern’s Isabel Nystrom.

Travis Hargrave from Hawkesbury City in his hurdles race.

TRAVIS HARGRAVE ON COMEBACK

Travis Hargrave is another young athlete who has had to overcome a recent injury to compete.

The Hawkesbury City athlete is returning from a quad injury with his first event on Saturday the under 17 300m hurdles where he won his heat and finished third in the final.

In other hurdles results Maiya Hewitt Kiama won the U13 68cm 200m hurdles 29.27 3 from Molly Rayment from Sutherland 29.33 3 and Angelina Burford from the Hills District 30.01.

Alex Spadaro from Prospect won the boys state title 28.43 3 from Zak Evans Northern Suburbs 29.38 and Trent Alley from Port Macquarie 29.55.

In the Girls U14 200m Hurdles 76 cm, Grace Townsend from Manly Warringah won in 28.77 from Catherine Mikan from Northern Suburbs 29.51 and Tammin Lampret from Port Hacking 30.25.

Izobelle Louison-Roe of Port Hacking in action at the NSW Little Athletics State Championships.

HIGH-FLYER IZOBELLE LOUISON-ROE WINS BIG

Port Hacking’s Izobelle Louison-Roe won big in her first event at the state titles.

In the girls U15 high jump final Louison-Roe produced a 1.73m to finish ahead of Olivia Moresi from Cherrybrook 1.64m and Catrine Atherton from Manly Warringah 1.60m.

The young gun also won the same event at the recent NSW Athletics championships.

The 14-year-old from Kirrawee has a big program ahead and is using the Little Athletics meet as preparation for next week’s Australian athletics titles, also in Sydney.

SPORTS LOVER SAVANNAH WIKI WINS TITLE

Wollongong’s Savannah Wiki loves all kinds of sport but on Saturday it was throwing which earned her a NSW Little Athletics title.

Wollongong City athlete Savannah won the Girls U11 Shot Put 2.0kg crown with a throw of

9.49m to finish ahead of Sienna Vassella from Ku-ring-gai 9.44m and Savannah Stanford from Warradale 9.26m.

“This is my favourite sport and I like all the throwing events,’’ said Savannah who also does netball, swimming and surf life saving Nippers.’’

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