Athletics and Cross Country

NSW All Schools Cross Country

On Wednesday 24 July, the Sydney Equestrian Centre hosted the state’s top Cross Country athletes under beautiful sunny skies and perfect running conditions. Eliza Lawton (Year 8) successfully defended her NSW title, winning the 14 years 4km race. Gemma Dixon (Year 8) also ran a great race, finishing sixth in the 13 years 3km race, while Sophia Slater (Year 11) put in a solid performance to secure fifteenth place. Unfortunately, our Cross Country captain, Georgia Phillips (Year 12), was unable to compete due to sickness.

Both Eliza and Gemma have qualified for the Australian All Schools Cross Country Championships to be held in Melbourne, however only Gemma will be competing.

Athletics Australia National Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to Eliza Lawton (Year 8), Gemma Dixon (Year 8), Charlie Slater (Year 8), Sophia Slater (Year 11), Sarah Baker (Year 11) and Georgia Phillips (Year 12) who have all been selected in the NSW team for the Athletics Australia National Cross Country Championships to be held in Tasmania in late August.

Good luck girls in your preparation for both Australian All Schools and the Athletics Australia Nationals.

Twilight Athletics – Meet 1

On Friday 26 July, our athletics girls competed in the first igsa twilight meet at Sydney Olympic Park. There was a great vibe on the eve of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Despite the chilly conditions, the girls had a fantastic time and relished the opportunity to compete after a solid block of training. There were many excellent performances, with standout results from Bethany Curruthers (Year 8) in throws, Anabella Legge-Hughes (Year 8) in sprints, Charlie Slater (Year 8) in middle distance, and Marley Titley (Year 8) in middle distance, taking a whopping 14 seconds off her 800m time from the carnival.

Twilight Athletics – Meet 2

Our second of four twilight meets took place on Friday 2 August. It was another chilly evening however this didn’t phase our girls who performed exceptionally. It was a great atmosphere with the Olympics Athletics session being displayed on the big screen whilst the girls competed. Notable mentions to our 4 x 100 m relay team of Samara Bond (Year 11), Georgia Phillips (Year 12), Matilda Harrison (Year 10), and Jocelyn Blair (Year 10) who lit up the track. Georgina Lewis (Year 7) was dominant in her track performances, leaving her opponents in awe. All three of our relay teams took inspiration from Kristie Edwards who is at the Paris Olympics competing in the Australian 4x100m team. It wasn’t that long ago that Kristie was competing for Pymble at the twilight meets!

With two meets remaining, we are excited to see how our squad progresses. The igsa 1500m will be held at this Friday’s Twilight meet and will determine selection for the igsa team to represent at NSWCIS and count towards our overall point score. We are very excited to see the below students compete:

Eliza Lawton (Year 8) – Junior

Gemma Dixon (Year 8) – Intermediate (running up an age group, GO GEMMA!)

Sarah Baker (Year 12) – Senior

Good luck girls!

Deb Walsham

Head Coach