Athletics Wollongong is immensely proud of the 30 athletes who not only represented our club, but also our region in front of hundreds of athletes from all over Australia and some of the Pacific nations at the Australian Opens and Juniors.
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Between them they fought hard for nine gold, three silver and seven bronze medals.
The fact that so many talented young athletes qualified to compete at nationals is testament to an amazing group of knowledgeable Illawarra coaches who guide their athletes along this path
The Championships saw some amazing performances. One of the most outstanding was by Albion Park member Delta Amidzovski.
This amazing athlete has had a turbulent past two years, starting with a serious hip fracture and the accompanying rehabilitation period, to severe disruptions to training programs through COVID restrictions and training ground closures.
Despite also having pain in one foot, she won four gold medals, starting with the U17 hurdles 13.63s, the NSW U20 4x100m relay in 46.84, the U20 100m hurdles 13.78 and in the long jump 5.98m.
Athletics Australia granted Delta special permission to compete in the U20 hurdles to enable her to qualify for the world U20 Championships to be held in Colombia in August.
In her heat she went under the qualifier in 13.92s and then beat that again in the final in 13.78s. The official announcement of the Australian team heading off to Colombia will be made this week.
Holly Rea U16 from the Southern Highlands made an impressive medal snatch and grab at nationals by bagging two gold and two bronze medals.
The two gold medals were in the NSW U16 4x100m relay (47.51s) and the NSW 4x200m Relay 1:39.05s and bronze in the U16 100m (12.06s) and 200m (24.74s).
Chelsy Wayne rocked out an enormous 45.31m to win the U16 discus.
Callum Rann U18 is now a regular runner for the U50 400m, won silver in the NSW 4x400m relay 3:18.65 and sixth in the 400m (49.92s).
U17 para athlete Charlize Colwell scored a bronze in the 400m 1:18.58.
Harry Keats (U14) Is an athlete building quite a middle distance reputation, winning Bronze in the 800m in 2:08.33s.
Maiya Hewitt (U14) another up and coming young talent won silver in the triple jump 10.48m.
Tierney Dunne's sprint speed came in handy when she helped steer the NSW Open Women 400m relay team to a silver in 3:41.81.
The Australian Masters Championships were held in Brisbane, with 11 members competing, winning 15 gold, nine silver and six bronze.
Medallists included Adriana Van Bockel (W70) discus (2nd, 15.93m), hammer (1st, 35.79m), Javelin (3rd, 13.18m), shot put (2nd, 5.44m), weight throw (1st, 7.74m), throws pentathlon (1st, 2341pts); Christine Shaw (W60) Long Jump (1st, 3.68m), high jump (3rd, 1.23m), triple jump (1st, 7.36m), javelin (2nd, 22.73m), throws pentathlon (1st, 3337pts), 240+ 4x100m (1:01.14), NSW W60 4x100m relay (1st, 1:10.13s state record; Adrian See (M45) 400m (2nd 52.54s).
An injured Anthony Howlett (M50) struggled through high jump (3rd, 1.43m, triple jump (3rd, 7.74m), javelin (3rd 42.34m) and pentathlon (2nd, 856pts).
Caroline Ellis (W45) pole vault (1st, 2m) and javelin (3rd, 18.69m); Michael Doodson (M45), Mens180+ 4x100m Relay (3rd, 48.74s); Montse Ros (W40) pole vault (1st, 2.80m); triple jump (2nd, 8.93m)
Rebekah Power (W40) has become quite a formidable masters talent winning five gold and one silver.
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