Athletics

State Junior Athletics Championships

Over four days of competition in brutally hot conditions, 16 of our Pymble athletes delivered exceptional performances at the State Junior Athletics Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park. Despite the extreme weather, the girls showed resilience and determination, securing and incredible nine gold, four silver and four bronze medals. Beyond the podium finishes, there was numerous personal bests and several top eight performances, highlighting the depth of talent within the athletics team.

A special congratulations to Amalia Bond (Year 9) who dominated the horizontal jumps, taking home gold in both the triple jump and long jump, and to Eliza Lawton (Year 9) who put on a record breaking display in the distance events. Eliza also took home two gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m, setting new State Little Athletics records in both races – an incredible achievement. The support and camaraderie among the girls were outstanding.

Congratulations to Samara Bond (Year 12) and Matilda Harrison (Year 11) who also both secured two medals in their events.

Gold

Grace Townsend (Year 12)

400m Hurdles

Amalia Bond (Year 9)

Long Jump

Triple Jump

Eliza Lawton (Year 9)

1500m

3000m

Naomi Krajancic (Year 9)

400m

Grace Beck (Year 11)

5000m Walk

Gemma Dixon (Year 9)

2000m Steeplechase

Sybella Warton (Year 12)

100m Para

Silver

Samara Bond (Year 12)

400m

Matilda Harrison (Year 11)

100m

200m

Jocelyn Blair (Year 11)

100m Hurdles

Bronze

Sybella Warton (Year 12)

200m Para

Samara Bond (Year 12)

200m

Anelia Knight (Year 10)

800m

Rachel Schwulst (Year 11)

800m

Sydney Track Classic

The Sydney Track Classic is one of the most prestigious events on the Australian athletics calendar, featuring Olympians, international athletes, and Australia’s best athletes chasing world championship qualifiers and personal bests. It was an exciting night for Pymble, with two current students and five alumni competing on the big stage.

Sybella Warton (Year 12) had a fantastic experience competing in the para 100m, facing off against Paralympic-level competition and performed exceptionally well. Rachel Schwulst (Year 11) took on the crucial role at short notice of pacemaker for Olympic semi-finalist Claudia Hollingsworth in the 800m. Rachel did an exceptional job and took Claudia around in the time requested. Her performance was also noted in the commentary by legendary caller, Bruce McAvaney, who praised her for setting up the pace exactly as wanted.

Among the alumni, all five athletes were excellent, but two of our K to Year 6 coaches were particularly outstanding. Olympian Kristie Edwards stormed to victory in the blue ribbon 100m event, while Olivia Inkster, a two times World Junior representative placed seventh in the same race setting a new personal best. Their performances serve as an inspiration to our younger athletes, who are lucky to have such high calibre role models leading their training sessions. Mackenzie Little also made a strong return to competition, winning the javelin. Alice Dixon competed for NSW in the 4x100m relay and Gabriella Taylor competed in the B 100m race.

Deb Walsham

Head Coach of Athletics