2016 Australian All Schools Championships

Carley Thomas (NSW) has dedicated her 2016 Australian All Schools Championships gold medal to her recently deceased coach, the renowned John Atterton, as competition drew to a close in Canberra (ACT).

Competing in timed finals for the girl’s under 18 800m, Thomas moved past Cara Jardine (Qld) in the second lap to storm up the straight and stop the clock in a meet record time of 2:05.40. The silver medal was won by Jemima Russell (Vic, 2:07.88), with Sarah Eckel (SA, 2:07.94) rounding out the top-three.

“I have been coached by John Atterton and he passed away from MND a couple of weeks ago to that’s been pretty tough. I’m still working off his program and today is definitely for him,” Thomas said.

“Oh gosh. I knew that Cara had ran a 2:06 recently and my best so far was 2:08 so I wanted to stick on her shoulder once I knew she was in my race, then sit and kick when I was comfortable. I wanted a PB so that’s really exciting. I felt really good out there and was so happy with my race.

The boy’s event was also won in a meet record time, with Christian Davis (Vic) crossing the line in 1:49.04 to better the previous mark held by James Kaan (NSW). Davis’ teammate Archie Wallis (Vic) won the silver medal in 1:49.51, and Jordan Doris (NSW, 1:50.70) the bronze.

Not to be outdone, New South Wales ran a national record of 1:58.10 in the boy’s under 16 Swedish Relay, with Manoa Veikoso, Mark Fokas, Luke Trevillian and Keegan Bell combining for gold.

Riley Day (Qld) also shone on day three of competition, adding the gold medal in the girl’s under 18 200m final to her victory in the shorter 100m yesterday.

Day’s wind-assisted time of 23.52 (w: +3.2) bettered the meet record of Sally Pearson (Qld), with Maisie Stevens (NSW) and Kristie Edwards (NSW) joining her on the podium in 23.66 and 23.94 respectively.

“I’m so happy with this weekend. I just wanted to go out there and run as hard as I could. I would have been OK with any place, but I’m excited to end up with this,” Day said.

“It’s hot out there, but the conditions are great. (I’m from Queensland) so I’m used to it I guess. This has set me up for the rest of the season. I just have to keep training hard and the times will keep coming I hope.”

Will Roberts (NSW) reigned supreme in the boy’s event in a time of 21.16 (w: +3.0), with Yadin Ngeng (NSW, 21.47) placing second and Joshua Perdrisat (Vic, 21.52) third.

In other results on day three of the 2016 Australian All Schools Championships:
-          Sailing over 2.14m, John Dodds (Qld) won gold in the boy’s under 18 high jump. He entered the competition at 1.95m, and also enjoyed successful clearances at 2.01m, 2.06m, 2.08m and 2.10m.
-          Joshua Torley (ACT) won the boy’s 3000m in a time of 8:25.62, with visually impaired Rio 2016 Paralympic Games representative Jaryd Clifford (Vic) taking home silver in a time of 8:37.13. The bronze was won by Callum Davies (Qld, 8:37.58).
-          Leaping an impressive 7.11m in the third round, Alex Willett (NSW) won the boy’s under 16 long jump. He shared the dais with Liam Mullen (Vic, second, 6.94m) and Josh Baker (WA, third, 6.02m).
-          Clocking a meet record 45.62, Kristie Edwards, Maisie Stevens, Sophie McGovern and Katie Devitt won gold for New South Wales in the girl’s 4x100m relay. The boy’s race was also won by New South Wales in 41.04. 

At the close of competition, New South Wales were declared Australian All Schools Champions with a point score of 916, with Queensland (828 points) and Victoria (779 points) placing second and third respectively.

The Small State Trophy, awarded to the winner of all other states, was taken home by Western Australia after they scored 521 points from three days of competition.

For more information on the 2016 Australian All Schools Championships, including entry lists, the event timetable and results, please click here.

For more information on the #SUMMERofATHS, please visit the season hub by clicking here.