The 2025 Australian Athletics Championships were held in Perth from 4th to 13th April. Nowra Athletics Club had 12 members compete in the Championships.
The Junior (Under Age) Athletics Championships kicked off first. Lily Sproule started Nowra’s campaign with an amazing run in the Under 17 800m. Lily clocked her 2nd fastest time of 2.18.71 and crossed in 4th place in her heat, missing the final by just 0.21 seconds. Lily was 10th overall.
Evie Binney was next up in the Under 16 2000m steeplechase where she ran a PB of 7.33.60 for 6th place. This run was 24 seconds faster than last year’s National effort; a fantastic achievement.
In the Under 15 800m Airlie Stevens pulled out a huge 5 second PB of 2.15.44 to qualify as 3rd fastest for the final. Airlie then backed up in the final to finish 5th in Australia in 2.17.52.
Hugh Thirwall also contested the Under 15 800m. Hugh ran a blistering first lap, bravely leading the field around and was rewarded with a 2 second PB of 2.09.80 in 7th place, putting him 21st overall.
In addition to Nowra’s registered junior athletes, Shoalhaven athlete Emily McLaren had an outstanding run in the Under 18 steeplechase to claim the silver medal in 7.15.31; an 18 second PB.
Also Eva Norris, the daughter of member Loretta Norris, contested the Under 13 400m. Eva qualified for the final with the 2nd fastest time of 59.90 and then went on to claim the silver medal with a quicker time of 59.60.
In the Under 20 Championships Harrison Baxter and Oliver Baxter both competed in the 5000m. Harrison was the 10th Australian over the line in the A race with a great PB of 15.08.70. In the combined results, Harrison was 12th overall and the 11th Australian. In the B race Oliver Baxter was 17th in 16.07.25 and 30th overall.
Hamish McLaren ran the Under 20 steeplechase where he finished 13th.
Nowra had 3 athletes qualify for the hurdle events. Alisha Mustapic was 7th in her heat of the Under 20 400m hurdles and 22nd overall, with a time of 1.12.92. Tom Brookes was 8th in his heat of the 110m hurdles, clocking 15.90 for 15th place overall. Jonah was 10th in his heat of the same event with a PB of 16.26, placing him 18th overall.
Amelia May, after many setbacks with injury, ran a gutsy 1500m, taking the lead in the early stages of the race. Amelia was 6th in 4.31.79 and 15th overall.
Will Dyball contested the high quality open 800m where he mixed it with the best to clock 1.53.89 for 9th place in his heat and was 31st overall. 
A huge congratulations to all these athletes on their amazing achievements, which have been earned through a commitment to training, consistent effort, determination and resilience.