3-4-5 September 2015, Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, Homebush
The 2015 NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Athletics Championships were held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre over three days from 3rd to 5th September.
These championships showcased the enormous talent of our young athletes from NSW Government Schools.
A number of Nowra Athletic members attended these Championships representing their local high school, and competed with pride. Many returned home with medals, many more achieved personal bests and all displayed great athleticism and sportsmanship.
Samantha Peace continues to shine in her chosen field event; winning the 17 years girls discus with a throw of 46.06 metres. In addition Samantha finished 5th in shot put.
Siwa Harvey-Aziz also claimed a discus gold; his win coming in the 14 years boys event with a mighty throw of 56.37 metres.
Jye Edwards remains at the top of middle distance running as he snatched a double gold for wins in the 17 years 800m and 1500m.
With a hectic program, Zac Havadjia managed to maintain his pace to snare a bronze medal in the 17 years 400m. Zac also competed in, and made the finals in the 100m, and 200m, and was a member of the 4 x 100m relay team and the 4 x 400m relay team. Zac certainly displays an enduring strength and speed on the track.
Also winning a well-deserved bronze medal on the track was Harry McGill. Harry ran in third in the 17 years 3000m in a time of 9.07.30 minutes. He also placed 5th in the 1500m.
Young Mikayla Check has proven that hard work and training pays off with a bronze medal in the 14 years 100m event. Mikayla sprinted her way through to third place in a time of 13.05 seconds, edging out fellow Nowra athletic athlete Jenna Bentley who finished 4th in 13.12 seconds.
It was bronze for Jenna in the 200m however with a fast finishing time of 26.66 seconds. In this one event there were 3 Nowra members in the final; with Mikayla Check finishing 5th and Jade Mustapic 6th.
Young Jess O’Donnell made the finals in both her events; finishing 10th in the 13 years 100m and 8th in the 200m. Also on the track, young Alex O’Brien ran hard in the 12 years 200m to place 12th overall.
Alistair Clark had a huge grin on his face after placing 5th in the 14 years 100m hurdles with a faultless run. Meanwhile big brother Angus took time out from his HSC study to compete in the 17 years discus and finished 12th.
Other throwers included Madeline Jeffrey in the 17 years javelin (12th), Brock Nichols 17 years’ javelin (13th), and Hayden Strand 16 years javelin (6th). Rhys Burinaga threw well in the 13 years discus to place 8th and Annette Peace just missed out on a podium place with a 4th in the 14 years discus. Annette also threw the shot put to 16th place, whilst Jade Mustapic threw her discus into 20th place.
Troy Whittington ran in both the 16 years 800m (11th overall) and the very challenging 2000m steeplechase where he placed a very commendable 5th. Cameron Musgrove ran in 10th in the 17 years 800m, as well as being a member of the silver medal winning 4 x 400m relay team, along with Zac Havadjia and two other South Coast athletes.
Our sole walker representative was Corey McConville who kept a steady pace throughout the race to finish 10th in the 15 years 1500m walk.
Congratulations to all our athletes who competed at the CHS Championships. Nowra Athletics Club looks forward to seeing all these athletes competing at the local Wednesday Track & Field Competition, which commences on 7th October 2015. If anyone is interested in joining the club for some track & field competition, please check out the Nowra Athletics Facebook page or website for more information.