Australian All Schools Athletics: All the news and highlights
Steve Hooker became a national hero when he won a pole vault gold medal, now he’s guiding his 12-year-old son who is competing on the national stage. Plus every meet record from All Schools 2025.
One of the most famous names in Australian athletics has returned to the national stage.
12-year-old Maxim Hooker, the son of 2008 Olympic pole vault gold medallist Steve, competed in the U14 pole vault at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships on Sunday.
It was Maxim’s second foray into national competition in his first season following in his father’s footsteps - although Steve revealed it was the budding youngster’s third favourite sport.
Scroll down to find all our All Schools coverage below
“We’ve been stuffing around for a long time but this is the end of his first year where he’s been able to compete,” Steve said.
“He did underage nationals at the start of the year and was able to do this one. It’s nice actually being able to do some training and practice and come and experience competition.
“Pole vault is his third favourite sport by some margin, he’s much keener on soccer and skateboarding, we squeeze in the odd training session amongst what he’s doing with school and his other sports.
“For me and him right now it’s about having good fundamentals and having fun and having the opportunity to come and do this is really great.
“He’s got other things that he likes, probably more than this.”
Maxim finished 30cm outside the podium with a jump of 2.30m at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday.
He has previously jumped 2.50m at the state championships earlier this year, which was a 30cm personal best at the time.
“The good experience for him today was at one of his lower heights he had a couple of misses on his first two attempts and put up his best jump for the day on his third attempt,” Hooker said of Maxim’s performance at All Schools.
“That’s a good experience to be at nationals and know you can step up on the third attempt in a competition that’s important to you and execute a jump.
“The main thing for me is it’s so great to see all these kids out there together and hanging out at the comp and in between jumps.”
Steve doubles as Maxim’s coach, and described the experience as a “fun thing to do together”.
“It’s neat when you get to come here and have a bit of a talk about a plan, whenever we do a midweek session it’s pretty low key and pretty fun,” Steve said.
“We spend as much time doing flips on the mats as we do pole-vaulting and go and we’ll often go and have a skateboard afterwards.
“It’s very much about enjoying it as much as we can, we don’t take it too seriously.”
Despite Maxim’s passion for soccer and skateboarding, Steve believed he was progressing well as a pole-vaulter.
“He’s done good, it’s about fundamentals at this age in this sport, I’m really happy with how he runs and takes off and if you want to be a good pole vaulter at any level it’s about what you need to get right,” Steve said.
“He’s doing a really good job with that and we’ll see how he progresses as he goes.
“He’s out there clapping for his competitors who are still going now and that makes me happy.”
EVERY MEET RECORD FROM THE 2025 ALL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Levi Dayaseela (VIC) – U14 Boys Discus Throw – 56.79
Harper Harding (VIC) – U14 Girls 80m Hurdles – 11.84 (0.8)
Hudson Severinsen (QLD) – U14 Boys Hammer Throw – 59.61
Luke Weber (WA) – U14 Boys 400m – 50.43
New South Wales – U14 Mixed 4×200m – 1:38.33
Queensland – U14 Girls 4×100m – 47.24
Phillip Botonis (NSW) – U15 Boys 3000m – 8:48.25
Harper Harding (VIC) – U15 Girls 200m Hurdles – 27.41 (0.3)
Callum Martin (NSW) – U15 Boys 3000m Race Walk – 12:21.14
Mya McClure (VIC) – U15 Girls 3000m Race Walk – 13:43.13
McKayla Grobler (NSW) – U16 Girls Shot Put – 16.32 (National Record)
Zach Heffernan (QLD) – U16 Boys 3000m – 8:29.65
Eliza Lawton (NSW) – U16 Girls 3000m – 9:25.84
Tate Van Camp (QLD) – U16 Boys 800m – 1:51.43
Emma Fryga (QLD) – U17 Girls 800m – 2:04.91
Emma Fryga (QLD) – U17 Girls 1500m – 4:21.64
Maiya Hewitt (NSW) – U17 Girls 400m Hurdles – 59.18
Fernanda Tirado (VIC) – U17 Girls Hammer Throw – 59.82
Ela Uzun (VIC) – U17 Girls 5000m Race Walk – 22:55.80
Lucas Chis (VIC) – U18 Boys 1500m – 3:48.67
Samuel Lindsay (TAS) – U18 Boys 5000m Race Walk – 20:07.71
New South Wales – U18 Girls 4×100m – 45.18
REED RESPONDS TO 200M LOSS IN STYLE
Australia’s fastest female U16 sprinter Emilia Reed bounced back to claim the her 100m crown in style on Sunday.
Reed, who is faster than Torrie Lewis was at the same age, finished second in the U16 200m on Friday - 0.29 seconds behind Rhema Adelaja of NSW - but edged out Adelaja in the U16 100m with a strong run of 11.62s into a -1.7 headwind.
“I was really happy with the time, running into a headwind, obviously a good time and another World junior qualifier,” Reed said after the race.
“It’s always a fun event, I love running here, new track, different scenery, it was really great.
“I came into it with the same mindset (as the 200m), just execute, push out of the blocks, focus on everything my coach told me to do before, nothing really changed.”
Now 15 years of age, Reed ran a personal best time of 11.45s at the national championships in April when she was 14 - which bettered her own record of 11.49s - to cement her status as Australia’s fastest ever U16 female sprinter.
Reed and Adelaja are forging a strong rivalry, with Adelaja Australia’s second-fastest female U16 sprinter in history.
Torrie Lewis, who is Australia’s fastest woman, had an U16 10m record of 11.57s.
“I think that this generation of sprinting is honestly like nothing we’ve seen before,” Reed said.
“There was a 14-year-old today that got a world junior qualifier which was crazy, athletics is coming alive now and it’s great to see.”
The West Australian said she “definitely” had the goal of making the Australian team for the World Junior Championships despite her youth.
“Definitely, if it’s something I can do that’ll be great, but we’ll have to see where it goes,” she said.
“I guess there’s a lot of expectations and whatnot but I just focus on what I need to do and focus on myself, minding my own business.”
FRYGA SHATTERS 44-YEAR-OLD RECORD
Middle distance runner Emma Fryga continued her stellar season by shattering a 44-year-old record in the women’s U17 1500m.
Fryga ran 4:21.62 in the 1500m to set a meet record at the All Schools Championships on Sunday, shattering the previous record set by Jodie Nykvist back in 1981.
Fryga also took out the women’s U17 800m on Saturday and set the meet record in that event too with a 2:04.91 to complete a clean sweep of both her events as she continues to go from strength to strength.
CHIS CONTINUES METEORIC RISE
Victorian middle distance runner Lucas Chis has continued his meteoric rise after smashing a long-standing meet record in U18 1500m.
Chis cruised to victory 10 seconds clear of his nearest rival to run a 3:48.67. The previous record for the event was set 16 years ago in 2009 when fellow Victorian Jordan Williamsz ran a 3:50.16.
The record is the latest feather in Chis’ cap after he broke the Australian U18 5000m record. Astoundingly, the 17-year-old has been running competitively for three years.
DAY THREE
Nathaniel Clarke took out the men’s U18 800m crown in a thrilling photo finish, with just 0.01 seconds separating gold medallist Clarke and runner up Luke Sideridis of Victoria. Sideridis gave it everything had and ran a personal best time of 1:52.93.
Sideridis had been well behind the leading pack of New South Welshman Clarke and eventual bronze medallist Lucas Kattenberg with 200m left, but he flew home in the wet and threw himself over the line in a desperate attempt to upset Clarke.
What a race.
TABER CAPS OFF PERFECT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Maya Taber completed a perfect Australian All Schools campaign with a trio of gold medals after she took out her U17 200m final on Saturday.
Taber flew home to record a time of 23.26s to win her third gold of the championships after she won the U17 100m and U18 4x100m relay on Friday.
Her NSW team’s relay win was particularly impressive as they set a meet record with a time of 45.18s.
ANOTHER GOLD FOR LUBENDA
Rising sprint phenom Uwezo Lubenda capped off a strong carnival by running a personal best to claim gold in the U17 200m and complete the coveted double.
Lubenda clocked a personal best time of 21.31s en route to gold, while the podium was identical to the 100m event with New South Welshman Epeosi Ugbomhe (21.61s) and Queensland’s Samuel Galstuch Magalhae (21.75s) rounding out the top three.
On Friday, Lubenda took out the 100ms crown and also won silver with North Queensland in the U18 4x100m relay.
DAY TWO
Rising Aussie sprint sensation Uwezo Lubenda has added another national title to his belt after running a blistering 10.52s in the U17 100m final at the Australian All Schools Championships in Melbourne.
Lubenda, who is faster in the 100m that Gout Gout at the same age, was running with a +0.7m/s tailwind and claimed gold ahead of New South Welshman Epeosi Ugbomhe (10.76s) and Queensland’s Samuel Galstuch Magalhae (10.80s).
“I made sure my start was right ... I made sure to hold my composure, make sure my arms are pumping, I’m getting everything right, all the technique right,” Lubenda said after the race.
“Happy with the time, it doesn’t matter, I got the win so that was probably the main goal.”
Lubenda said his start in his heat earlier in the day — where he took his foot off the gas late to run a 10.66s — might’ve been slightly better, but “it is what it is”.
Lubenda shot to national recognition in October when the 16-year-old ran a 10.35s 100m — a time which was faster than both Gout and Noah Lyles at the same age.
He said the past few months had been “interesting” as he was catapulted into the limelight.
“It’s been interesting, I’ve never been in that type of situation before but it’s been amazing,” Lubenda said.
“I’m handling it pretty well, I’ve never been in that type of situation, I’m handling it pretty well and enjoying myself and doing what I like to do which is running.”
Lubenda will now turn his attention to next year’s World U20 Championships.
“That’s going to be the main goal and the main focus for next year,” he said.
Lubenda also raced late on Friday for North Queensland. He took the first leg and got North Queensland off to a great start and a strong finish saw them clinch second from New South Wales, with Victoria victorious.
It was a dramatic race with North Queensland and NSW both encountering troubles on a baton change, while Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory were all disqualified.
TABER’S FITTING 100M FINISH
Esteemed young New South Wales sprinter Maya Taber was victorious in the women’s U17 100m.
“I’m pretty happy, I’ve had the title for some time and it’s nice to maintain it,” Taber said after her win.
“This will probably be my last All Schools as well, nice to round it out with a win.”
Taber won with a time of 11.55s, which was also quick enough to earn her a qualifying time for the World U20 Championships.
“The time I’m happy with, maybe a little faster would’ve been nice, I was close to my PB though so I’m tracking well,” Taber said.
“Just hoping to keep knocking down the time bit by bit and staying where I’m at, consistency.”
Maddie Gifford (NSW) and Leah Berry (Victoria) rounded out the podium, with both running under the 12-second mark.
HARDING’S BRILLIANT DAY
Victorian young gun Harper Harding enjoyed a stellar day, with two meet records and two golds and a silver medal.
Harper ran a meet record in the U15 200m hurdles, with her time of 27.41s improving on last year’s record of 27.83s which was set by Alexia Mathison.
Harper also set a meet record in the U14 80m hurdles with a blistering 11.84s. She won both events, as well as a silver medal with Victoria in the U14 4x100m relay.
Harper has a packed schedule and is still set to compete in the U14 100m and 200m.
LUBENDA BREEZES INTO 100M FINAL
Sprint sensation Uwezo Lubenda - who is faster than Gout Gout was at 16 - has breezed into the U17 100m final after winning his heat with ease.
Lubenda clocked a 10.66 and took his foot off the gas late in the run in a statement win as he looks to add another national title to his rapidly growing resume.
The question on everyone’s lips come this afternoon’s final is whether Lubenda can improve on his personal best time of 10.35 seconds - which was quicker than both Gout Gout and Noah Lyles at the same age.
New South Welshman Epeosi Ugbomhe and Queensland’s Riley Van Twest rounded out the top three in heat one of the U17 100m, while Samuel Galstuch Magalhaes (Queensland), Jonathan Firth (Victoria) and Chris Musa (Victoria) rounded out the top three in the other heat.
PB FOR WRIGHT
Kirra Wright - who has already represented Australia at the 2025 World Para Championships - clinched gold in the U20 para shot put after clearing the field by 40cm.
Wright’s throw of 8.41m was a personal best and an 11cm improvement on her 8.30m that saw her clinch silver in New Delhi in September.
Michayla Espie also threw a season best 8.01m to claim silver.
Wright is still set to compete in both the U20 para 100m and 200m finals.
MEET RECORD FOR VAN CAMP
15-year-old middle distance runner Tate Van Camp set a meet record and took home gold in the u16 800m final after running a 1:51.43.
Racing in the B final, Van Camp blitzed the field and won by the length of the straight - a feat that should come as little surprise given the Queenslander is the national U16 800m record-holder.
DAY ONE
Tasmanian race walker Samuel Lindsay etched his name into the record books on day one of the Australian All Schools Athletics after cruising to a 36-second victory in the U18 5000m race walk, and beating an Olympian’s record in the process.
Lindsay recorded a personal best time of 20:07.71, which not only beat the 2016 meet record of two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Declan Tingay, but earned him a qualifying time for the U20 World Championships. Runner up Sebastian Richards of South Australia joined Lindsay in qualifying under the 20:50 U20 World Championships qualifying mark.
FIVE YEARS OF DOMINANCE
Tasmanian Arielle Cannell cemented her five years of All Schools dominance in the hammer throw after taking out an U18 gold to mark a fifth straight title. Cannell threw an impressive distance of 61.97m.
In the boy’s U18 hammer throw, Connor Hopgood of Queensland clinched a thrilling win after his throw of 71.61m cleared that of Tasmanian runner up Xavier Leauma.
UZUN PUNCHING ABOVE HER AGE
Successful young Victorian race walker Ela Uzun added yet another national title to her resume as she cruised to victory by three minutes in the U17 5000m race walk. Uzun, who is still just 14 years of age, smashed the U17 meet record - which had stood for 19 years - after recording a 22:55.80. The previous record of 23:55.30 was set by Melissa Hayes of NSW and had stood since 2006.
EARLIER
The teenager who ran faster than Gout Gout, North Queensland sprint sensation Uwezo Lubenda, is set to tear up the track at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships this week.
Lubenda is poised to light up both the U17 100m and 200m events at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne.
The Calvary Christian College student recorded a blistering 10.35 in the 100m in October — which was more than two tenths of a second quicker than Gout’s time at the same age.
That Queensland schools championships run was also one tenth of a second quicker than that of 2024 Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles at the same age.
Lubenda has been among the headlines for some time. In 2024 he became the first 15-year-old in North Queensland history to break the 11-second barrier.
Among Lubenda’s strongest competition at the All Schools Championships will be Epeosi Ugbomhe of New South Wales and Samuel Galstuch Magalhaes of Queensland, who have both run under the 10.7 second barrier, and New South Wales’ Thomas Carleen who has a season best of 10.76.
Lubenda’s U17 100m heat will be run at 12.55pm on Friday, with the final to follow at 3.25pm later that day.
His 200m heat will be raced at 1.25pm on Saturday, with the final to come at 3.30pm that afternoon.
Lubenda is just one of a number of high-profile athletes set to take to Lakeside Stadium over the next four days, from record-breakers to the children of Olympians.
Originally published as Australian All Schools Athletics: All the news and highlights
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