The Mid South Coast Zone Championships were held in Kiama over the weekend of December 6th–7th. Athletes had to endure extremely hot temperatures throughout the competition and demonstrated great resilience to battle on through the heat.
There were 12 athletes representing Nowra Athletics Club and they certainly did themselves and the Club proud.
Flynn Kelly set a new Zone record in the 14 years long jump, leaping 5.95m for the gold medal. Flynn also claimed gold in the 100m (12.18) and 200m (25.13).
Orlando Bailie also contested the 14 years events, taking silver in long jump (4.44m) and bronze in both the 100m (13.92) and 200m (28.99).
Another Zone record was set by Isla Bailie, this time in the 14 years 100m with a fast time of 12.83. Isla also leapt to gold in long jump (4.91m) and took silver in the 200m (27.00).
William Heffill had a great run in the 14 years 400m, earning himself a silver medal in 1.19.71. William then backed up with another silver in the 3000m (12.46.92) and a 5th place in the 1500m (5.36.17).
Airlie Stevens took gold in the 15’s 400m in a solid time of 1.04.09. In the 800m Airlie was 2nd (2.32.60) and in the 1500m, she finished 3rd (5.57.95).
Madeline Oke competed in the same events, placing 3rd in the 400m (1.09.33), 3rd in the 800m (2.35.66) and 2nd in the 1500m (5.42.40). Madeline then went on to win the 3000m in 12.02.63.
Amarlie Ward had some great runs taking two bronze medals in the 13 years 400m (1.13.97) and 1500m (5.50.50) and finishing 4th in the 800m (2.38.31).
Macca Davis claimed 2 silver medals for his efforts in the 14 years 800m (2.27.96) and 1500m (5.02.97). In the 3000m, Macca took bronze in 14.52.03.
Hugh Thirwall won gold in the 15 years 800m in 2.20.98 while his brother Kai also took gold in the 13 years 800m (2.31.02). Kai added a second gold medal in the 1500m with a time of 5.08.08.
Thor Jackson won gold in the 13 years 3000m with a great run of 14.51.31 and took silver in the 800m in 2.46.31.
Lana Crawford bagged two gold medals with smooth runs in the 15 years 800m (2.26.73) and the 1500m (5.30.70).
Congratulations to all these athletes on outstanding performances.
Under the Athletics NSW and Little Athletics NSW partnership, athletes in the 9s, 10s, 11s, and 12s must be be members of a Little Athletics Club to compete at Zone and progress through the Zone and Region pathway to State. There were many multi-club members of Nowra Athletics Club who competed for their respective Little Athletics Centres at Zone. We’d like to celebrate their achievements too, regardless of the colour of the uniform they wore.
Nine of our dual-registered athletes flew the flag for Shoalhaven Little Athletics Centre.
Riley Sandstrom had a very busy program with his highlight coming in the 90m hurdles where he set a new 13 years record of 15.66. Riley also placed 1st in the 100m (13.11), 200m (27.41), discus (29.15m) and shot put (8.80m), and finished 3rd in long jump (4.73m).
Isabelle Sandstrom took gold in all four of her events, the 7 years 100m (18.49), 200m (42.02), discus (11.55m) and long jump (2.74m). While Madison Sandstrom collected medals of every colour with 1st in the 10 years 400m (1.17.57), 2nd in long jump (3.35m) and 800m (3.06.03) and 3rd in the 200m (34.43).
Finn Goddard put in a fantastic performance in the 12 years 800m, setting a new Zone record of 2.21.21. Finn also claimed gold in the 400m (1.03.54) and 1500m (5.05.03).
Atlas Bailie claimed bronze in the 11 years long jump, with a leap of 3.43m and finished 5th in the 800m (2.49.87)
Emerson Boatswain won gold in both the 14 years 1500m (5.37.94) and 3000m (12.31.40). Emerson also added two silver medals in the 300m hurdles (56.02) and javelin (21.32m).
Ellie Cooper was busy in the field events, collecting five silver medals in the 17 years discus (21.95m), javelin (26.66m), shot put (7.68m), long jump (2.77m) and triple jump (6.22m).
Emily McLaren contested the Under 20 events with huge success, taking gold in discus (20.22m), 400m (1.11.70), 800m (2.50.26), 1500m (5.55.12) and javelin (25.37m) along with bronze in the 100m (19.23).
Hamish McLaren had an equally impressive day, sweeping gold in all his under 20 events – 400m (57.32), 800m (2.11.49), 1500m (4.45.11), 3000m (11.13.09), javelin (49.37m) and discus (31.71m).
Representing Kiama Little Athletics Centre was new Nowra member Ieremaia Falemoe. In the 10 years events Ieremaia claimed gold in the 100m (14.38), 200m (30.73), high jump (1.10m) and took 3rd in long jump (3.81m).
Wearing St Georges Basin colours were another five athletes.
Hamish Bennett is always such an enthusiastic participant on Wednesday nights at our Club, so it was wonderful to see him achieve great results at his first Zone Championships. Hamish won silver in the 7 years 70m (15.52) and bronze in the 200m (47.92). He also placed 4th in shot put (3.18m) and 5th in long jump (2.01m).
Declan Bennett had a busy program, earning gold in the 12 years 1500m race walk (10.14.71) and silver in both the discus (15.74m) and javelin (14.83m).Declan also finished 6th in the 400m (1.17.73), 5th in the 800m (2.44.04) and 4th in the 1500m (5.29.22).
Braxton Naylor won gold in the 11 years 1100m race walk (8.30.26) along with silver medals in javelin (20.72m) and shot put (7.87m). Braxton also took bronze in discus with 29.26m.
Kadance Naylor made a clean sweep of gold medals in all her events with a standout performance in the javelin where she broke a 14 year old record with a huge 39.85m throw. Kadance also cracked a new PB in long jump with a leap of 4.50m. Other results included 17 years 100m (14.45), discus (28.23m), shot put (10.74m) and triple jump (9.05m).
Jasmine Wheeler had a successful under 20’s campaign taking gold in the 400m hurdles in 1.20.92 and collecting silver medals in the 100m (14.08), 100m hurdles (17.91), long jump (4.04m) and triple jump (8.50m).
This weekend of competition showcased not only the athletes talent, but their grit and sportsmanship. Congratulations to everyone involved, and thank you to Emma Stevens who took on the role of Nowra’s Zone Manager. Thank you also to the families who helped out on the day and supported our athletes.
