Illawarra Track Challenge was held on 28th February 2026 at Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre. It was another successful meet for Nowra athletes with excellent results.
Isla Bailie ran a quick 100m, clocking a PB of 12.54 which was also a National Qualifier.
Flynn Kelly ran a great 100m race of 11.89 and was just 0.04 seconds off a National Qualifier. Flynn also jumped well, leaping 5.72m for 4th place in long jump.
Erin Smart ran an impressive lifetime best of 12.49 in the 100m and ran another quick time in the 400m with 58.56.
Ada Houldsworth closed out her season with a strong 1.06.63 in the 400m.
Emily McLaren contested the Under 20 60m and 400m, clocking 11.81 and 1.05.82 respectively.
In the Mile events, Nowra was represented by four athletes. Harrison Baxter ran a PB of 4.13.39 taking 8th place in the open event.
Lana Crawford won bronze in the 14’s-15’s mile with a solid PB run of 5.18.35. Madeline Oke also ran a PB finishing 6th in 5.28.91. Lily Sproule achieved silver in the 16’s-17’s mile event with a PB of 5.16.83.
In the field, Kadance Naylor threw 38.00m for 4th in open javelin. Ellie Cooper also competed in the javelin, spearing 28.31m for 7th place and was 8th in the hammer throw with 20.38m.
Over at the HART Sport NSW Combined Carnival (7s – 15s) held at Maitland Regional Athletics Centre, 28th February to 1st March 2026, Nowra had more great results with the Sandstrom siblings competing.
Riley Sandstrom took the gold medal and State title in the boys 14’s heptathlon with an accumulated 1947 points. In the 200m Riley was 4th in 27.41, in the 800m 3rd in 2:24.69, in the 90mH 2nd in a National Qualifier of 15.34, in the long jump 11th with 4.05m, in shot put 4th with 9.20m and in discus, Riley threw 34.61m.
Isabelle Sandstrom contested the girls 7’s heptathlon placing 6th. She was 7th in the 50m running 9.98, 6th in the 100m with 18.88, 7th in the 500m with 2.10.68, 1st in discus with a throw of 14.08m, 6th in long jump with a jump of 2.54m and 3rd in shot put with 4.99m.
Madison Sandstrom was 9th in the girls 10’s heptathlon. Madison’s individual results were
200m 4th in 34.10, 800m 6th in 2:59.78, discus 17th with 11.25m, long jump 6th with 3.34m, shot put 16th with 4.55m, and 60mH 11th in 13.61.
Well done to everyone on these outstanding achievements.
Thanks to Cooper Photography for the photos!