Athletics Australia

Australian All-Schools Championships

6 - 9 December 2007

Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre

 

Review

Athletics Australia recently held the national underage athletics track and field championships from December 6th to 9th, 2007 at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, NSW. These championships pitched the best underage athletes from each State in elite competition over a period of four days. Blue Mountains Athletics Club fielded a good sized team in these championships.

The standout performance of this meet came from the under 16 year old athlete that is fast establishing herself as the best middle distance runner for her age in NSW. On the Friday evening of the 3000m, Celia ran away from the Robyn Bennett and Sarah Deuble both of Queensland to take the national title in 9.53.75. She later followed this on the Saturday afternoon with the bronze medal in the 1500m. This latter performance was the more impressive of the two, where Celia ran a huge 4.31 PB. In a race that she sought to control from the front, Celia was passed by Jessica Gilfillan of Queensland with 100m to the finish. However, Gilfillan was unable to hold this lead, and was passed by Bronte Gange of Victoria in a stunning finish.

Making her national debut was Morgan Moloney who ran a 10.52.56 performance in the under 15 year 3000m. Although slower than her 10.35 qualifying performance of last month, Morgan put in an excellent effort in a race that was held in humid conditions after the large storm passed through Homebush.

In male 3000m action, David Ricketts took the silver medal in 8.54.90. David finished one place behind winner, Kevin Batt of NSW. Daniel Baldacchino also went to the start line in the 3000m where he took tenth place in a time of 9.24.07.

In the jumps, Emma Cormack took seventh place in the under 15 high jump with a 1.59 meter leap. Mataya Young took sixth place with an 11.09 meter effort in the under 15 triple jump.

Will Rodgers took part in the under 16 triple on Saturday evening and put in a 13.27 meter jump to take sixth place. He later followed this on Sunday with sixth place again in the under 16 long jump with a 6.06 performance.

Michael Cox took fifth place in the under 18 high jump with a 2.02 effort.

The team was Michael Cox, Will Rodgers, Emma Cormack, Mataya Young, Celia Sullohern, Morgan Moloney, Daniel Baldacchino and David Ricketts.

 

Archive:

Update 28 November 2007 by Dennis Emry

The biggest track & field meet for the year rolls into Homebush, Sydney on December 6th to 9th for the Athletics Australia underage national championships. Set on four days and nights at Sydney Olympic Park, these championships pit runners from each State against each other. The winners hold the national title and will hold bragging rights for the year.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is fielding a good sized team of athletes at this meet. These range from Club athletes that are defending national champions to athletes that are making their national debut.

We begin with the athletes that are making their debut. Hot off her 22nd placed performance at the Athletics NSW State Open 3000m Championships three weeks ago, Morgan made her entry to these championships with a stunning Club record performance of 10.35 at this meet. Morgan will be running the under 15 3000m on Friday, December 7th, 2007.

Also making her debut is Mataya Young, who will be attempting the under 15 triple jump on Sunday, December 9th, 2007. This athlete made her Inter Club debut for Blue Mountains this season and is currently in good form having qualified for this meet with a great jump at the CHS meet earlier this season.

Back to defend her title is middle distance star Celia Sullohern, who will be contesting the under 16, 3000m on Friday, December 7th, 2007. This athlete has been in irresistible form over the winter roads and fields and comes to this meet with high expectations. She will backup one day later in the 1500m.

Also defending medals from 2006, both Will Rodgers and David Ricketts are competing at this meet. Simply one of the best jumpers in NSW, Will contest the under 16 long and triple jumps on consecutive days of December 8th and 9th. David is the NSW All Schools champion from October 2007 and will be looking to take out the under 16 3000m title with an expected dual with Cameron Page of Gosford. Both are joined in this race by Club athlete Daniel Baldacchino, who qualified with a superb 9.12 effort at the NSW State Open 3000m. David will also contest the 1500m two days later.

In the high jump, and fresh off a super 1.70m effort at Inter Club last weekend, Emma Cormack will appear in the under15 high jump on Friday December 7th, 2007.

Making a 3000m start, and hot off an eighth placed 9.48 performance at the NSW State Open 3000m, Hollie Emery will go to the start line of the under 18 3000m for Friday night action. This athlete took out the Athletics Australia under 18 National XC title three months ago, and she will have a tough battle holding off Campbeltown's Chloe Tighe in this race. Hollie follows this one day later with the 2000m steeple.

 

Entries:

Please read the following carefully as it may impact your entry to the Athletics Australia All Schools National Championships.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club now invites suitably registered senior athletes that have also met the Athletics Australia national qualifying standards, to carefully read the following documentation with a view to entering the national championships scheduled for December 6th to 9th, 2007 at SOPAC, Homebush, NSW.

Qualifying standards are included in the Team Information Pack and the performances claimed as standards must be set at an IAAF, Athletics Australia or Athletics New South Wales sanctioned meet. Please note that performances set at little athletics Club, Zone or Regional meets are not acceptable to meet the standard for entry. The attachment also has a list of acceptable school performances that are allowed to be used as standards. These generally are where Athletics NSW have run and organised the relevant school meet.

Any questions on performances set should be addressed to Andrew Matthews, Competitions Officer Athletics NSW, on 02 9746 1122.

Competing athletes are required to wear current NSW uniform and to also purchase a NSW Tracktop for any team photos or medal presentations. The prices are included in the attachment.

The timetable for all four days & evenings and rules are also attached to this email. You should read these thoroughly.

Entries close on November 5th, 2007 and the age that is applicable for your entry is the cut-off of December 31, 2007. Entries should be made online at the Athletics NSW website.

For those athletes that have yet to make the qualifying standard, there are a few Inter Club meets left to take the required standard. The Club encourages all athletes that are seeking qualifying performances to take advantage of these meets.

We wish you all the best at what is the best track meet on the calendar.

Any questions can be addressed to me on the below email or tel number.

Kind Regards

Dennis Emery

Club Secretary
Phone:(02) 8209 4233
Fax: (02) 8209 4299
E: dennis.emery@benfieldgroup.com

Team Information Pack

The information pack including timetable, rules, Athletics Australia Qualifying Standards, and a range of other information is available here.