To end the track and field season, Nowra Athletics Club proudly saw 2 of our athletes compete at the 2023 Australian Open and Under 20 Championships and 10 of our junior athletes compete at the Australian Junior Track & Field Championships, both held in Brisbane. To have 12 athletes from our small Country Club compete with Australia’s best was very special. We applaud each of their achievements, not only at this National event, but over the entire season of competition.
In the Australian Open and Under 20 Championships, held from 30th March to 2nd April, Will Dyball contested the U20 800m where he ran a strong race to place 8th in his heat in 1.55.89. Amongst a huge field of athletes with impressive resumes, Will was solid to finish 28th overall.
Akala Miller had a massive Nationals program contesting the U20 para 100m, 200m, 400m and long jump. Akala ran 15.09 in her 100m heat, putting her through to the final. This was a huge drop from 15.80 in last year’s competition, demonstrating her improvement over the season. In the final Akala ran well and placed 7th in 15.19. Akala finished 6th in the 200m with 32.33, improving from last year’s time of 35.37. Akala also finished 4th in the 400m in 1.45.38, and 4th in long jump with a jump of 3.16m. Great results from a busy competition!
In the Junior Championships, held from 13th to 16th April, Nowra athletes earned 4 medals!
Max Marshall came away with 2 National silver medals and a team gold medal. In the U16 100m heat, Max sprinted his way to 2nd and a new PB of 11.07 to qualify for the final. Then in the final, Max backed up to claim the silver medal in 11.15. It was a close race, with Kelechi Ekwomadu, from SA edging Max out with 11.11 whilst 3rd place getter was Oliver Facer, in 11.21. In the 200m, Max took out his heat in 22.42 before claiming another silver medal in the final. The final was once again a close race, with Max fighting hard all the way, crossing in a new PB of 22.40, and just getting pipped at the finish by Seth Kennedy from Qld who clocked 22.36. What an amazing effort Max!
To cap off Max’s track season, he joined Oliver Facer, Wol Albino and Xavier Perry in the 4 x 100m relay where their combined efforts earned them a gold medal with a time of 42.21, which was just 0.44 seconds off the record.
Amelia May won her U18 800m heat in 2.12.07 and went on to achieve a new PB of 2.09.45 in the final where she placed 5th after having just raced 4 800m races. This was a great achievement! Amelia then contested the 1500m where she demonstrated great skill in navigating a slow starting technical race to storm home and claim a silver medal in a tight finish. Amelia clocked 4.33.65 behind Danielle Graham from WA who crossed in 4.33.32 and was just in front of Daisy Sudholz from VIC who finished in 4.33.81. Well done Amelia!
Across the Junior Championships, Nowra had 5 representatives in the steeplechase events. Cameron Baxter made his National debut, contesting the U15 steeplechase. His commitment to training and determination in every race is admirable and at Nationals, this was rewarded with an 11th place in a new PB of 6.47.90. Perhaps his little pre-race dance boosted his run too!
Nic McGill competed in the U16 steeplechase and finished 6th from a field of 19 with a 4 second PB of 6.20.59. It was a hard-fought race and Nic competed with confidence and pure grit.
Emily McLaren also competed in the U16 steeplechase event. After having Covid-19 only a week prior to Nationals, Emily pushed through her ill-health and demonstrated great courage and trademark determination to finish 9th in 8.48.13.
In the U17 event, Hamish McLaren, also persevered after suffering from Covid-19, and ran in 16th in 6.44.36.
In the U18 steeplechase, Harrison Baxter ran a 5 second PB to place 8th in 6.16.03. Harrison was the 1st NSW athlete across the line, which was a fantastic result.
Young Lana Crawford performed strongly in her National debut demonstrating poise beyond her years, to finish 8th in the U13 1500m in 5.19.64.
Asher Chapman contested the U15 200m hurdles in his first season of hurdling. Asher qualified for Nationals at Country Championships in January with 30.48 and went on to improve this time to a new PB of 29.17 in the National heat, which entitled him to progress to the final. Asher then finished 8th in the final in 29.67.
Alisha Mustapic was another hurdler who made amazing progress in just one short season. Alisha qualified to compete in the Nationals U17 400m hurdles in Woden on 18th February this year where she ran 71.94. In Brisbane Alisha came into the event, ranked 19th out of 20 competitors, and ran a 4 second PB of 67.79 in the heat, earning her the right to contest the National final. Alisha ended her competition in Brisbane with a 8th place in the final in 70.02.
Nowra athletes certainly ended the season with a bang! Well done to everyone!