Such was the intensity of the rain, many of the long jump and triple jump events had to be cancelled because the sand pits had become flooded. 

Despite the testing conditions, the youngsters passed with flying colours, with 14 athletes from the region winning medals at the competition. 

Six athletes from Albion Park Little Athletics Club won medals, with Chelsea Ezeoke claiming two gold, two silver and a bronze, Germaine Wright a gold and a silver medal and Tayissa Buchanan one gold and one bronze medal.

Albion Park president Crystal Woll said all the athletes excelled in what she labelled horrendous conditions. 

"The club has done exceptionally well this year," Woll said. "We have a huge bunch of talent at the club and morale has been really high. Everyone is very supportive, they have great sportsmanship and cheer each other on.

"Ruby Kerr was at her first state and won two state medals, Tayisa is new to the club, after running for school and this year she won two medals and is a state champion."

Read more: Illawarra athletes impress at NSW Junior Championships

Wollongong City also completed a successful meet, with Ashlyn Adams winning the under 15 girls 90 metre hurdles and Delta Amidzovski winning three gold medals and one silver, along with a new state record in the under 13 girls long jump. Grace Adams and Hamilton Tenkate each collected a silver. 

Lake Illawarra's Telaya Blacksmith took home four gold medals in the under 11-12 multi-class events, while Ryan Keen finished second in the under 14 boys discuss.

Ezeoke, Buchanan and Amidzovski were rewarded for their performances with selection in the NSW under 13 team, while Eleanor Tozer was selected in the NSW under 15 team. 

The four girls will travel to Hobart next month for the Australian Little Athletics Championships.

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