NSW Junior Athletics: High-flying teens, speedsters among the stars and standouts
The speedsters were out in force along with the high-flyers of NSW athletics at the state junior championships. Stars and standouts as the championships wrap up.
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The deluge stopped, the sun came out and the action heated up on the final day of the NSW Junior Athletics on Sunday.
There were great performances right from the start of day three at the championships contested by more than 1500 youngsters from across the state.
DAY TWO: SONS OF GUNS AND FOOTY STARS
DAY ONE: PB’S GALORE IN BIG WET
ERIN SHAW REACHING FOR NEW HEIGHTS
She’s one of the tallest young athletes in NSW and Erin Shaw is reaching for the stars.
The Roseville College schoolgirls already has three world junior qualifying times for the high jump under her belt.
And while she missed another on Sunday at the NSW Junior Athletics championships she came away with a title.
Shaw, from Frenches Forest on Sydney’s northern beaches, said she is doing a number of sports at school, including touch and basketball, but her heart is in athletics.
“I just want to keep pushing to go higher, to try and jump as high as I can’’ said the teenager who will compete at the upcoming Australian championships. with her main 2022 goal the world under 20s in Colombia in August.
Shaw said she was motivated for success at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday after finishing second and at her last NSW titles.
“I was in the back of my mind for sure,’’ she said.
Shaw won with a 1.78m leap with Coffs Harbour’s Alex Harrison also producing a 1.78m.
Lara Check was third with a 1.60m.
GRACE KRAUSE WINS THIRD GOLD AT NSW JUNIOR ATHLETICS
Temora young gun Grace Krause has had a meet to remember with the schoolgirl winning her third gold medal on Sunday.
Krause added the 200m crown to the long jump and triple jump titles she won earlier in the meet and her silver in the 100m.
The youngster was overwhelmed with her success.
“I just thought I would be in with a chance in them,’’ she said.
“I’m really happy.’’
The 15-year-old won the final in 24.22 from Holly Rea 25.06 and Samara Bond 25.12.
SPEEDSTER PAIGE CAMPBELL IN SIZZLING FORM
She is a rising star of Australian athletics but Paige Campbell isn't letting it go to her head.
On Sunday the modest teenager won the U18 200m sprint after finishing second in the 100m.
Known for her 400m running, Campbell said she is working to improve her speed and so chose the shorter events on the weekend.
Coming into the meet Campbell had already put down world junior qualifiers in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Campbell, from Campbelltown, ran a 24.37 for her win over Gabriella Taylor 25.15 and Ebony Newton from Raymond Terrace 25.49.
BRONTE LOCANE’S LUCKY BREAK WITH THE WEATHER
Balmain’s Bronte Locane was supposed to have been competing in a big touch football competition this weekend but shocking weathers saw the event cancelled so she headed out to the NSW championships.
On Sunday she added the NSW 200m title to the silver she had won in the 100m on Saturday.
The 14-year-old won the U15 NSW title in 25.89, finishing ahead of Ava-Marie Carlson 26.47 and Mathilda Delfs 26.56 -1.5.
CONNOR BOND TAKES SPRINT DOUBLE
Teenager Connor Bond on Sunday added the 200m gold to his 100m success from a day earlier.
Bond is a talented rugby player who on Saturday ran a world junior qualifier.
The 19-year-old finished the 200m final in 21.20.
Sutherland’s Ace Haslam finished second 21.60 with Joseph Ayoade from Campbelltown third.
ASHLYN BLACKSTOCK SHAKES OFF NERVES FOR DISCUS CROWN
Newcastle thrower Ashlyn Blackstock has no idea why she was so nervous at last weekend’s NSW Open and U23 championships but it put her off her game.
On Sunday the Belmont North thrower managed to settle herself to win the NSW U20 discus crown.
“This week I got my head back into the right space thankfully,’’ Blackstock said.
Blackstock said she has taken a back seat from throwing for the past few months and has also had to overcome Covid and two weeks of isolation.
“I had to decided what I wanted to do, if I wanted to do this. And I do.
“I want to be the best I can.’’
While she missed the world junior qualifying mark on Sunday the 18-year-old is confidents she can reach it ahead of the Australian championships which are also in Sydney.
Blackstock threw 45.69m for her title on Sunday to finish ahead of Jaidah Jarvis 39.43m and Bankstown Sport’s Kaitlyn Coulter with her 39.32m.
DANIEL KELLY WINS STEEPLE CHASE AFTER WORLD QUALIFIER IN 1500M
Less than 24 hours after running a world junior qualifier in the 1500m, Wentworth Falls runner Daniel Kelly was racing off with a NSW title in the U20 steeplechase.
Sporting a bright crop of yellow and pink bleached hair he has coloured “just for fun’’, the 18-year-old missed a qualifier in this event but has high hopes of reaching it in upcoming meets.
“I want to do the 5km and the steeplechase at the worlds (under 20 championships—,’’ he said.
“I’m going to Box Hill in 10 days to try and do a 5km time and there nationals hopefully for the steeplechase time.
“I just couldn't get it today. I just didn't have it in my legs after the 1500m.’’
Kelly, who did his Little Athletics with Emu Plains, has been running his whole life and is heading to the US to attend college and further his career.
Kelly on Saturday won the 1500m in 3:46.77 to beat Bailey Habler 3:47.90 and Kane Shields with his 3:48.52 2
Kelly on Sunday ran a 9:40.35 to win the 3000m steeplechase ahead of Adam Bruntsch from Ryde Athletics in 9:55.70 and Ashton Hanna in 10:18.45.
KURT MICHAEL’S MASSIVE EFFORT IN WINNING HIGH JUMP
Young gun Kurt Michael woke up stiff and sore after his big effort at the NSW Juniors on the weekend.
The 14-year-old from Kogarah Bay ended up doing 16 jumps as he made his way to the U16 NSW title.
“I usually do about eight,’’ said the young jumper.
Kurt 1.88m took the title from Jackson Dyne 1.74m and Ryan Wells from Lithgow 1.70m.
“It was pretty good but 2cm off my PB,’’ said Kurt, who had to contend with wet conditions on the day.
Kurt said he started in jumping because his father had done it when younger.
“He was pretty good so I decided to try it as well,’’ he said.
Kurt said his future goal is to wear the green and gold.
“That would be awesome,’’ said the high jumper who trains three times a week in the sport.
MITCHELL LIGHTFOOT RIDING A WAVE OF SUCCESS
Life is feeling - and looking - pretty good for young Maitland athlete Mitchell Lightfoot right now.
At the NSW Junior championships at Sydney Olympic Park the teenager grabbed a big slice of the limelight when he put down a U20 world qualifier in the U20 110m hurdles.
He then went on to add the NSW crown to the NSW country title he won earlier this month.
“I’m feeling great. I’m just on a wave right now,’’ said the 18-year-old who finished school last year.
Lightfoot, who was part of the Sydney Swans Academy in 2018 and loves the sport, said his sights are currently set firmly on representing Australia in athletics right now.
“Paris is a big goal. Then LA and Brisbane,’’ he said.
Lightfoot, posted a 13.66 in winning the NSW Junior crown from James Kotis 14.64 and Rhys Dobbins from Kotara South in 14.64.
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