Athletics Wollongong had huge representation at the NSW All Schools Championships, with 46 members taking to Sydney Olympic Park this past weekend.  This was the club's largest squad to take on the event in many years - perhaps ever!  It certainly shows a hunger for athletics following two years of COVID-related disruptions to school sport.

Despite the large team size, Athletics Wollongong members still had an out-sized impact on the results tables.

One of the undisputed stars of the Championships was Delta Amidzovski in the 15 Girls division.  Contesting four events (90m Hurdles - 12.64s, 100m - 12.30s, 200m Hurdles - 28.65s, and Long Jump - 6.06m), Delta would leave the Championships with four gold medals.  Perhaps her greatest performance was in the Long Jump, finishing  just 9cm away from the likely qualifying mark for the 2022 U20 World Championships. 

The only ones to come close to Delta's tally - collectively - were the club's pole vault reps, with each of the four taking out their respective divisions: Annabelle Gibson (12 Girls - 2.15m), Mackay Jones (14 Boys - 2.00m), Naomi Gibson (15 Girls - 2.80m) and Thomas Noakes (19 Boys - 3.80m).

As far as other individual competitors went, Maiya Hewitt certainly announced herself on the All Schools stage, winning two gold in her debut in the 12 Girls.  Her victories came in the Triple Jump (10.76m) and 400m (59.95s).

Matching her gold medal count was Holly Rea, who took out the sprint double in the 14 Girls (100m - 12.69s; 200m - 25.16s).

Charlize Colwell was another multi-medallist, this time in the 12-14 Girls Para Ambulant events, with a gold in the 800m (3'14.92) and a bronze in the 100m (16.42s). 

Kailee Moore duplicated that haul in the 17 Girls, with her gold coming from the 100m Hurdles (14.65s) and her bronze also from the 100m (12.82s). 

And Lara Check made it 'three' in her farewell to All Schools in the 19 Girls division: her gold medal came in the Long Jump (5.66m) and her bronze from the High Jump (1.65m).

It wasn't any surpise to see some of AW's reigning National Champions make their way to the top of the medal dais either, with both Ashleigh Goncalves (17 Girls 400m - 56.07s) and Chelsy Wayne (14 Girls Discus - 40.38m) asserting their credentials.

Our remaining gold medallists were Olivia Sivils - who took out the 17 Girls 2000m Steeplechase (7'36.64s), and Jude Basnet - who was triumphant in the 17 Boys Hammer Throw (36.29m).

But that's not all! 

• A silver medal went to William Willis (14 Boys Discus - 47.89m). 
• Tayissa Buchanan marked her return from serious injury with silver in the 15 Girls 800m (2'14.84s)
• Keegan Whitten collected silver in the 15 Boys High Jump (1.85m)
• Emily Benefiel matched that result, with silver in the 12 Girls High Jump (1.40m)
• Grace Costabile won a bronze in the 13 Girls 200m (27.43s)
• Ella Hewitt earned herself a bronze in the 14 Girls Triple Jump (10.61m), and
• Beau Rejske became the club's first ever primary school-attending medallist, with a bronze in the 12 Boys 3000m Walk (20'54.07s)

As impressive as the medal-winning feats above are, the club is proud of the performances of all our club representatives.  It's easy to highlight the results of those atop of the dais and much harder to keep track of personal bests broken, sportsmanship shown and good times had.  Ultimately, it's success in these latter categories that will lead to the most rewarding and enduring experiences in track and field.  Congratulations, everyone.

Full results of all AW members are available on the Results page.