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2017 Australian All Schools Championships: Day 3

Published Sun 10 Dec 2017

It was a thrilling final day of competition at SA Athletics Stadium on Sunday.

Kristie Edwards (NSW) again proved she is a sprinter to watch, closing out her 2017 All Schools campaign with a second world under 20 qualifier for the weekend, this time in the 200m.

On Saturday, Edwards snagged the 100m (11.79) with gold in the 200m for under 18 girls the icing on the cake.

Edwards hit the line a clear winner in 24.03 ahead of Tamara Hotten (Qld) and Melarn Murphy (SA).

“It’s exciting,” Edwards said. “I was a bit surprised but I’m happy. I haven’t done PB’s in a while and it’s been my goal for this whole season and to get them so early I was a bit like ‘oh, okay’.”

Edwards puts the result down to some additional gym work and support from her coach, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.

Another World U20 Champs qualifier in the 200m for @kristie_edwards #veryproudcoach

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“She knows so much and it’s good to learn from her because she’s done it all before,” Edwards said of the three-time Olympian. “She’s a legend.”

Edwards is hopeful that she can put a further dint in her times over the summer and break the 24 second mark in the 200m. The Northern Beaches local completed her All Schools campaign as part of NSW’s 4x100m relay team which took the silver medal behind Queensland. The team event was a clear highlight for Edwards who relished the experience.

“The relay’s always so much fun,” she said. “I love to do the relay because you get to do it with all of your friends. We weren’t sure if our team was going to make it to the line, a couple of the girls got injured so the effort for us to get it around was pretty good.”

Commonwealth Youth Games shot put gold medallist Alexander Kolesnikoff (NSW) closed out his schedule, claiming gold in the under 18 boys shot put. Kolesnikoff started his campaign on Friday, winning the under 18 hammer throw while on Saturday, the Trinity Grammar student took out the discus competition.

Sunday’s clean sweep was Kolesnikoff’s last competition with the 5km shot and he was determined to go out on a high.

A 20.63m throw from Alexander Kolesnikoff to win the U18 boys shot put #AusAllSchools

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“I love All Schools,” the 17-year-old said. “I’m a bit upset that it’s my last one. It’s great to come and hang out with the team. I just love competing, it’s so fun.”

A hamstring injury restricted Kolesnikoff’s movement and he fell six centimetres short of a new PB. His final shot of 20.63m agonisingly close to the his targeted 21m.

“I almost threw a PB and I was struggling to even turn out the back of the circle,” Kolesnikoff explained. “My last comp with a 5kg shot – I’m moving to the six now – I really wanted to crack a 21, but that’s competing.”

Of all Kolesnikoff’s results, it was the shot put which proved the sweetest.

“I’m happy I got three gold this comp – you can’t complain,” he said. “I’m very happy with that and I’m very thankful to all my coaches.

“Hopefully it’s another step towards completing my goal of competing at world juniors next year.”

South Australia’s Rose Pittman was impressive in her performance on Sunday, successfully completing the 400-800m double.

Drawn in the second of the two timed finals in the 800m, Pittman was forced to rally to ensure her victory in a time of 2:07.57.

“It’s really hot out there,” Pittman said. “I just thought this is my last effort of the weekend, so I may as well give it everything that I’ve got.”

Sarah McDermott (NSW) and Cara Jardine (Qld) were both pushing the pace on the back straight, forcing Pittman to go wide. Once clear, Pittman looked in charge as she led to the finish line. McDermott, on the inside, couldn’t pass and finished .11 back with the silver medal, with Jardine third.


In the under 18 girls pole vault, Western Australia’s Lauren Hyde-Cooling shook off two nervous opening jumps to achieve a world under 20 qualifying mark.

Hyde-Cooling, who is coached by Paul Burgess, entered the competition at 3.70m with just two other competitors remaining - Raphaela Corney (Tas) and Amelia Orchard (SA).

Orchard failed all three attempts, settling for 3.60m while Corney cleared the bar on her first go, leaving all eyes on the West Australian.

“I was a bit nervous at the start,” she admitted. “I thought I might bomb out really early. I’ve come all this way and I’m going to no height, but I got it together in the end.”

Third time's a charm for WA's Lauren Hyde-Cooling as she enters the competition at 3.70m in the U18 girls pole vault #AusAllSchools

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Hyde-Cooling’s early-season form promised more improvement and so she arrived at All Schools keen to continue her momentum with more personal best jumps.

“I was just really keen to get some more,” she said. “I think it was just nerves. Coming into the competition and being one of the only ones left just got to me a bit.”

Corney struggled at 3.75m, leaving Hyde-Cooling to go it alone. She cruised through 3.80m and faltered at her opening attempt at 3.91. A second jump was fruitful and 4.05, the world under 20 mark, was cleared on her first attempt.

Still on a short approach, Hyde-Cooling was pleased with her performance, unable to clear 4.10.

“I’m pretty happy. I got on some big poles today and it’s good to finally get over that height and not feel like it was just a one-off thing,” she explained. “I feel like I’ve got more in me.”

Wrapping up the 2017 Australian All Schools Championships, NSW finished on 891 points, ahead of Queensland (802) and Victoria (732). Western Australia won the small states plate, with 547.5 points.

In other highlights –

  • Sophie White (WA) completed the sprint double with gold in the under 16 girls 200m.
  • Jordan Doris (Qld) was superb in taking out the under 18 boys 800m.
  • Edward Nketia (ACT) stamped his authority on the under 18 sprint events, winning gold in the 200m, having also taken out the 100m on Saturday.
  • Young South Australian high jumper Sebastian Pollifrone’s 1.83m gold medal effort in the under 14 boys high jump was an 8cm PB and just 2cm shy of the state record.
  • Sasha Zhoya (WA) may need extra baggage for the flight home, with a third gold medal added to his tally of two gold and a silver for the championship, this time in the under 16 boys 200m.