2024 NSW All Schools Championships were held from 28th September to 2nd October at SOPAC. Nowra Athletics Club junior members had a very successful Championships with plenty of Personal Bests and even more gutsy performances.
Hamish McLaren competed in his last ever All Schools event and went out on a winning note, taking gold in the 19 years 3000m steeplechase in 10.57.18. This was Hamish’s first time over the steeple height of 91.4cm and a great reward for many years of All Schools competition. Hamish also competed in the discus, finishing 13th with a throw of 31.93m and spearing 8th in javelin with 41.72m.
Adding another win to his resume, Nic McGill took gold in the 16 years 2000m steeplechase in 6.31.34. Nic had a fall in the 1500m but still managed a very credible 9th in 4.14.22 and backed up with an 8th place in the 3000m in 8.58.06. (Photo credit below to Fred Etter) 
In the field, Emily McLaren was 13th in 16 years javelin with a throw of 24.79m. Whilst Kadance Naylor competed in 3 field events, finishing 5th in javelin with 34.83m, 10th in discus with 24.99m, and 11th in shot put with 9.38m.
Toby Dyball had a great run in the 17 years 400m, achieving a 3 second PB of 52.39 for 11th place. Toby was also 11th in the 800m in 2.04.88.
The Baxter brothers were back on the track for the Championships. Harrison Baxter competed in the 19 years distance events, finishing 5th in 5000m in 15.52.53 and 6th in 1500m with 4.08.10. Oliver Baxter was 7th in 17 years 3000m in 8.57.04 and 10th in 1500m in 4.12.00. Cameron Baxter finished 24th in 15 years 1500m in 4.34.34.
Josie Sproule stepped up to compete in the Championships and finished 17th in the 13 years 1500m in a PB of 5.41.17 whilst Lily Sproule was 8th in the 15 years 1500m in a PB of 4.59.99.
Macarthur Davis contested the 12 years 800m and 1500m, finishing 8th in the 800m in 2.34.46 and 9th in the 1500m in 5.17.37.
Harry Thomson had a great competition earning himself a National Qualifier in the 14 years 200m hurdles with a PB run of 30.05 as he crossed in 8th place. In the 100m hurdles, Harry was 11th in 16.56.
Jonah Watson had a PB run of 54.64 in the 17 years 400m with 17th place. Jonah ran a good 200m finishing 11th in 23.98, just missing the final by 0.09 seconds, whilst in the 400m hurdles, he was also 11th in a time of 1.02.96.
Training partner Tom Brookes had 4 PB’s from 4 runs. In the 17 years 110m hurdles heat (at 91.4cm height), Tom was 9th in 16.13 qualifying him for the final where he went on to finish 8th and better this PB to 15.72. In the 400m hurdles (84cm) Tom was 8th in 59.94 and in the 400m Tom was 20th in 55.93.
Airlie Stevens also earned 4 PB’s in 4 races. In the 13 years 400m Airlie was 9th in a PB of 1.01.37 which qualified her for the final. Airlie then ran a National Qualifier time of 1.00.67 in the final as she crossed in 6th place. In the 800m Airlie was 9th in a PB of 2.23.90 and in the final, Airlie was 7th in 2.22.59, which was just 0.59 off the National Qualifier.
Congratulations to all the athletes on their fine results.