The 79th edition of the NSW Country Championships was held over the weekend of 19th-21st January 2024, at Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre in Wollongong. With over 800 entries it was one of the largest ever championships and Nowra fielded one of their biggest teams in recent history with 69 athletes. For Nowra, there were personal bests, 2 championship records and a swag of medals, as athletes competed in the family friendly environment. For many of the Nowra crew it was their first time competing at Country Championships, and after such a fun weekend, we are confident it won’t be their last!
There were so many stellar performances over the 3-day competition, it’s going to be a challenge to capture them all. So, strap in for a lengthy read!
Sam Keogh proves herself as a multi event athlete!
Sam Keogh had an ambitious program for her first Country Championships, entering 14 events in the 40–49-year group. Sam eventually dropped the 800m and 1500m from her program, however her efforts, enthusiasm and results across 12 events was simply inspiring! Sam came away with 6 medals and the admiration of the entire Club! Sam took bronze in the 80m hurdles and gold in the 400m hurdles. In the sprints, Sam was 6th in the 100m, 4th in the 200m and 5th in the 400m.In the field, Sam picked up a silver medal in long jump with a jump of 4.25m and a bronze in triple jump with 8.35m. In high jump, Sam cleared the bar at 1.20m to take another bronze medal. Meanwhile in the throwing arena, Sam was 4th in shot, hammer and discus and 9th in javelin. Sam’s commitment to her training has certainly paid off, and she participated in all events with determination and a smile. Sam said she “had the best time” and simply loved the weekend of competition. This is the just the beginning of her master’s athletic journey!
With a role model like Sam, it’s no wonder that Charli and Jaxon Keogh also competed with great enthusiasm. In the Under 12 group Charli was 11th in the 100m and 9th in the 200m whilst in the field Charli was 8th in shot, 9th in discus and 6th in long jump.
7-year-old Jaxon competed in the Under 9 events. His pint-sized frame caught the attention of Valmai Loomes who was on the microphone, as he ran down the home straight of the 200m with blond hair flying and concentration on his face. Valmai interviewed Jaxon after his 6th place run which caused a few giggles amongst the Nowra crowd with his answers to Valmai’s questions. Jaxon also competed in the 100m, shot put, discus and long jump.
Just like a good wine, Peter Dooley gets better with age!
Seasoned athlete Peter Dooley dug deep for Nowra’s points this year, expanding his usual middle-distance program to include the 5000m, long jump, steeplechase, 400m and 200m. Pete was outstanding in every event and bagged a medal for 6 of the 7 events he contested. Peter took the win in both the 60–69-year 800m and 1500m, in times of 2.40.78 and 5.28.99 respectively. In the 2000m steeplechase he took the silver medal and he also jumped to a silver in the long jump with an impressive jump of 3.58m. Pete took bronze in the 5000m in 20.37.90 and added another bronze medal to his collection for his superb run of 31.36 in the 200m. As he tried to catch his breath at the finish line, he shook his head in exhaustion and just said “why?”. So, despite the medal, I’m not sure he’ll return to the sprint event next year! We will have to wait and see. Also, in a fast 400m, where the winner actually broke the Country record, Pete was 5th in 1.15.25.
Steeplechase records for Nic McGill and Tiffany Knight
Nic McGill continued his outstanding performances on the track, winning the Under 17 2000m steeplechase in a time of 6:14.67 – smashing the championship record by 20 seconds. The previous record of 6.35.60 having been set by James Cox, of Mingara in 2013. Nic also competed in the highly competitive 3000m race placing second to Gosford’s Harrison McClusky, clocking 8:59.11. He won another silver in the 1500m clocking 4:15.72, again just behind Harrison McClusky and bagged a final silver in the 800m on Sunday in a PB of 2.05.99, this time behind Nate Ward from Kotara South.
New member Tiffany Knight had a great debut at Country Championships taking out the 30–39-year-old 5000m on Friday night in 19.27.99. On Saturday Tiffany then took silver in the 1500m clocking 5.16.59 before coming out to smash the 2000m steeplechase record with a time of 8.43.95. The previous record of 9.16.44 belonged to a former Nowra athlete, Karley Goddard, set in 2020. To finish her program, Tiffany bagged another gold medal in the 800m clocking 2.34.71.
Medal winning sprints for Erin
Erin Smart started her program with a silver medal in the 40–49-year-old 100m sprint. It was a closely contested race with Ramona Casey from Newcastle just edging Erin out for the win. Ramona clocked 12.59 to Erin’s 12.84 whilst 3rd place getter Rebekah Power clocked 12.99. In the 200m, Erin went one better and took the gold in what was another very competitive race, clocking 26.27 in front of Ramona Casey’s 26.41. In the 400m, Erin took the win in hot and windy conditions in a time of 1.01.24.
Fierce competition on the track
It’s not often that 2 athletes in the same age-group from the same Club have such closely contested races – with each other! However, this was the exact case for Gavin Dyball and Scott Armstrong. In the 50-59 years 1500m, both Gavin and Scott had a great race, swapping the lead with each other a couple of times. Both dug deep and pushed each other all the way to the line with Scott taking the win in 5.01.16 in front of Gavin who clocked a huge PB of 5.03.08. In the 800m on Sunday, the race played out similarly with another great tussle. This time the results were reversed and Gavin surged on the line to take the win in 2.26.34 followed by Scott in 2.26.45. It was racing at its best and definitely a highlight of the meet.
In other separate events, Scott took the win in the men’s 5000m in 18.40.79 whilst Gavin was 5th in the 400m.
Dyball’s feature in middle-distance events
Will Dyball was prominent across the Under 20 middle-distance events taking out the 1500m in 4.05.64 before claiming silver in the both the 400m (51.58) and the 800m (1.56.17).
Toby Dyball had a nice win in the Under 18 800m, finishing strong in 2.04.85 and took bronze in the 1500m with 4.48.25. In the 400m Toby was 8th with 56.23 whilst he claimed bronze in his very first 400m hurdles event in 56.23.
Noah Dyball was the coolest cat on the track finishing 8th in the Under 15 1500m and 800m and 7th in the 400m.
Hurdles proved popular with Nowra athletes
Alisha Mustapic took gold in the Under 18 400m hurdles showing good technique to finish in 1.10.86. Alisha also took a bronze medal in the 400m sprint with 1.03.88. In the 100m Alisha was 4th in 12.83 and in the 200m, she was 5th in 26.74, both of which were wind-assisted PB’s.
Asher Chapman hurdled his way to a gold medal in the Under 16 200m hurdles clocking a PB of 27.85 whilst in the 100m hurdles, Asher took the silver medal in 15.78. In addition, Asher took gold in the long jump with a leap of 5.34m and took bronze in the 100m sprint in a wind assisted PB of 11.95, whilst in the 200m he was 4th with another wind assisted PB.
Harry Thomson went stride for stride with Dubbo’s Nullah Baker in the Under 15 200m hurdle race. He maintained his composure and was just pipped at the line, taking the silver medal in a new PB of 31.02.
Jonah Watson bagged himself a silver medal in the Under 18 400m hurdles with a time of 1.02.50. Jonah also contested the competitive sprint events and made the finals in both the 100m and 200m. In the 100m, he just missed the podium with a 4th place in 11.51 and was 5th in the 200m in 23.95. Jonah was also 9th in the 400m.
Tom Brookes also contested the Under 18 400m hurdles alongside training partner Jonah. Tom finished 4th with a time of 1.02.96. In the sprints Tom was 10th in the 100m, 9th in the 200m, and 11th in the 400m. In the field, Tom jumped his way to 2 bronze medals, placing 3rd in the long jump with a jump of 4.83m and 3rd in high jump, clearing a height of 1.45m. Tom was also 6th in discus.
Tori battles injury
Suffering from a dislocated knee, Tori Sayer had to opt for standing throws due to her injury but she pushed through and still managed to snare 3 silver medals and a bronze in the throwing events. Tori took silver in the 30-39 years hammer with 19.61m, silver in discus with 20.95m and silver in javelin with 19.35m. In shot put, Tori took bronze with 7.54m.
Masters Debutante
Masters’ athlete Steve Schott made his competition debut at Country Championships and reaped the benefits, taking home 4 medals. Steve took silver in the 40-49 years shot put with 9.87m, and bronze in both the javelin (33.58m) and discus (26.46m). Steve also took bronze in long jump with a leap of 4.50m. Steve had a crash course in starting blocks before his sprint events and ran in 6th in the 100m in 12.44 and 4th in the 200m in 26.26, for his first runs on a synthetic track.
Davis trio
Darcy Davis had a great run in the Under 18 800m, doing the hard yards out the front for the majority of the race. Teammate Toby Dyball then passed him and went on to take the win whilst Darcy dug deep and held on for 3rd place in 2.07.79. Darcy was also 7th in the 400m in 56.07.
Elizabeth Davis was 5th in the Under 15 800m, 7th in the 200m and 8th in the 400m whilst Macarthur Davis was 5th in the Under 12 800m and 7th in the 1500m.
Distance competitors
Jade Mustapic contested the Open 5000m on Friday night and somehow found a reserve of energy after 12 laps, to have a cracking finish and take back 2nd place to finish in 19.29.28.
Daniel Wood made his country debut in the Open 5000m and had a solid run to finish 9th in 18.26.91. Daniel returned to the track on Saturday in the 1500m where he finished just shy of the podium with a 4th place in 4.47.50.
It was great to see Dean Bryce at Country Champs this year. Dean had a great run to take the bronze medal in the 50-59 years 5000m event in a time of 21.14.69. Dean also returned on Saturday, but this time it was purely to cheer on the Nowra squad.
Harrison Baxter looked strong in the U20 5000m and took the silver medal in 15.52.30. Harrison was also 7th in the 800m with 2.03.01. Meanwhile Oliver Baxter contested the Under 18 3000m race and ran well, despite some ‘niggles’ to place 5th in 9.24.68.
Angela Bond took silver in the 50–59-year 5000m in 26.22.51 and then backed up on Saturday in the 1500m where she placed 4th in 7.12.82.
Masters’ throwers
Despite Mel Mustapic generously signing hubby Glen up for 9 events, Glen was unfortunately unwell (or was he? LOL) and unable to compete. In the throwing events Mel Mustapic represented Nowra in the 50-59 years category. Mel was 5th in javelin with 13.19m, 6th in shot with 6.12m, 7th in discus with 13.87m and 9th in hammer with 13.82m.
Kerrie Jones entered 4 events and went home with 4 medals! In the 70+ hammer Kerie threw 17.31m for a bronze medal. In discus Kerrie also snared a bronze with a throw of 15.80m and in the shot, she grabbed a 3rd bronze medal with a throw of 6.47m, which bettered her own record of 6.31m set at Nowra track and field night. Meanwhile in the javelin, Kerrie speared 13.04m for a silver medal.
Geoff Crook snared a surprise bronze medal in the 60–69-year javelin with his throw of 31.31m, which improved upon his Club record of 31m. Geoff was also 6th in the discus with 24.74m and 6th in the 1500m.
Anne Boatswain medalled at her first Country competition, taking silver in the 40–49-year-old shot put with a throw of 8.61m. Anne was also 6th in the javelin.
Junior throwers
Abby Beck took the bronze medal in the Under 11 shot put with a throw of 6.89m. Layla Beck also took a bronze medal for her efforts in the Under 14 javelin, spearing 24.93m, whilst she was 4th in both the discus and shot. Mason Beck won silver in the Under 9 discus with a throw of 15.90m and was 4th in the shot.
Junior all-rounders
Riley Sandstrom had a busy competition taking silver in the Under 11 discus with a big throw of 30.71m. Riley also claimed bronze in the long jump with a jump of 3.78m and another bronze in the 200m clocking 30.38. Riley was 4th in the shot put, 4th in the 400m, clocking a PB of 1.13.20 and 4th in the 100m in 14.22, which was another PB.
Madeline Oke contested the Under 14 distance events and pushed hard in each event. She kick-started her program in the 3000m with a 4th place in a time of 12.00.78. In the 1500m Madeline was 6th in 5.38.42 and in the 800m she was 7th in 2.49.93. Madeline also enjoyed the jumps, where she just missed out on a medal in triple jump, finishing 4th with a jump of 8.58m whilst in long jump she was 11th with 3.50m.
Sister Olivia Oke competed on the Sunday only and demonstrated her usual residence to finish 5th in the Under 16 800m with a time of 3.20.69 and was 6th in triple jump with a jump of 6.74m.
Archie Higgins scored a bronze trifecta with a 3rd place in both the Under 14 200m (27.62) and 400m (1.02.94) plus a 3rd place in the long jump with 4.51m. In the 100m, Archie won silver in 13.02.
Thor Jackson contested the Under 11 events and was 8th in shot put, 6th in long jump, 7th in 400m and 8th in 200m.
Emerson Boatswain speared a silver medal in the Under 12 javelin with her throw of 20.34m. In the discus Emerson was 4th with 17.49m and in the 1500m she was also 4th, clocking 5.55.32.
Airlie Stevens had good runs in the Under 14 events, coming in 5th in the 1500m in 5.24.32, and 5th in the 800m in 2.34.77. Airlie also ran a very controlled 400m clocking 1.04.70 for 4th place.
Tiny sprint queens
Addison Galloway and Mila Bozikov proved themselves as little pocket rockets taking out the Under 9 100m and 200m. Addison took 1st place in the 100m in 15.66 just ahead of training mate Mila who clocked 16.18. In the 200m Addison clocked 34.23, sneaking in front again of Mila who crossed in a PB of 34.35. These 2 sprinters are ones to watch out for in the coming years!
Addison was also 4th in the long jump and discus. Meanwhile Mila won gold in the long jump with a leap of 3.20m and took bronze in the 800m with 3.08.47.
Junior sprinters
Hollie Braddick had a great win in the Under 12 100m, clocking 13.31, crossing well ahead of the rest of the field. This came off the back of her win in the Under 12 60m at the recent Illawarra Track Challenge.
Phillip Ansah took the bronze medal in the Under 12 100m clocking 13.64 whilst he was 5th in the 200m with 29.23, both of which were (wind assisted) PB’s.
Evalyn Norris sprinted well to take the silver medal in the Under 11 200m in 29.43 and added a second silver to her bag with a 2nd place run in the 400m with a time of 1.06.43. Evalyn was also 4th in long jump.
Junior debutantes
Willow Dwyer enjoyed her first Country Championships. She finished 5th in the Under 11 100m in 14.57 and 8th in long jump with a jump of 3.50m.
Skylah Reilly had a wonderful time in the Under 9 long jump, smiling and jumping 2.12m to finish 11th. Phoebe Armstrong also enjoyed the Under 9 long jump and came in 12th with a jump of 2.05m.
Jack Saviane was 7th in the Under 11 1500m clocking 6.27.30 and was 10th in both the 400m and discus. Heidi Saviane demonstrated her resilience and enthusiasm for running, finishing 9th in the Under 14 1500m and 9th in the 400m.
4 golds for Kashava
Kashava Essex had a gold winning weekend taking the win in the Under 15 para long jump (2.55m), and shot put (3.70m) as well as taking the sprint double of the 100m and 200m.
Silver for Amelia
Amelia May had another solid run as she returns to fitness after injuries, taking the silver medal in the Opens 800m in 2.15.08 behind Dubbo’s Ella Penman.
The Binney clan are great Nowra competitors
Evie Binney had a great run in the Under 15 steeplechase, taking the bronze medal in 8.06.92. Evie also demonstrated her steely determination in the 3000m where she pushed through despite feeling sick, taking 5th place in 12.45.96. In the 800m she was 4th in a 7 second PB of 2.32.94 and in the long jump she was 5th with a 3.76m jump.
Big sister Charli Binney was 1 place short of the podium on 3 occasions. Charli was 4th in Under 16 shot with a throw of 6.16m and 4th in discus with 14.88m. In javelin Charli speared 4th again with 17.16m. On the track Charli was 7th in the 100m and 10th in the 200m.
Wyatt Binney competed with his usual smile and was 9th in the Under 12 shot put with 4.42m and 7th in discus with 13.49m. In the long jump, Wyatt jumped 3.01m for 8th place whilst in the sprints, Wyatt was 9th in the 100m and 11th in the 200m.
Darcy Binney had a busy program with 7 events to contest. In the throws, Darcy was 9th in both the Under 10 shot put (4.47m) and discus (12.26m). In long jump Darcy was also 9th with a jump of 2.91m. Out on the track, Darcy was 5th in the 100m clocking 16.85, 7th in the 200mwith 36.79 and 12th in the 400m with 1.28.87. in his final event, Darcy was 10th in the 800m, crossing in 3.33.33.
Masters’ runners
Matthew Watson decided to shorten up his program this year and was 4th in the 50–59-year-old 100m and 3rd in the 200m. In the 400m he was 7th and in the 800m he was 6th. In the spectator area, Matty was certainly one of the biggest and loudest supporters of all Nowra athletes.
Matthew Reid had a solid run in the 30–39-year 400m, taking home the gold in 57.66, whilst in he 800m he took silver in 2.17.75.
Mark Thirwall also had strong races taking silver in the 40-49 800m in a time of 2.14.68 and bronze in the 1500m in 4.41.24.
Loretta Norris competed in just the 30–39-year 1500m this year and despite being injured, ran well to place 4th in 5.50.59.
Athletic siblings
Hamish McLaren and Emily McLaren both competed in the steeplechase, 800m and javelin in their respective age groups and both earned themselves medals. In the Under 18 steeplechase Hamish took silver in 7.03.95 followed by a 6th place in the 800m before scooping up a bronze medal in javelin by spearing an impressive 41.29m. Emily McLaren won the Under 17 steeplechase in 8.29.66 and took bronze in the 800m with a time of 2.32.56 and silver in the javelin with a throw of 29.65m.
Hugh Thirwall took the gold medal in the Under 14 1500m with a notable run of 4.42.57. He also took silver in the 800m with another solid run of 2.16.24. Kai Thirlwall won bronze in the Under 11 1500m in 5.27.51. He was also 4th in both the 800m and 200m.
Isla Bailie just missed the podium in 3 of her events, coming in 4th in the Under 12 high jump, long jump and 100m whilst in the 200m she was 6th with a new PB of 31.14. Isla demonstrated a developing maturity in her events and is inspired to keep on training. Orlando Bailie enjoyed his weekend of competition, coming in 5th in Under 12 100m, 6th in long jump, 8th in 200m and 10th in 400m. Atlas Bailie earned himself some PB’s with his runs in the Under 9 100m and 200m, where he placed 5th in both races, and Atlas was 7th in long jump.