The NSW All Schools have certainly opened the championship side of our sport with a bang. Student athletes who have not contested a championship meet for some time were given the opportunity of mixing it with the very best student athletes in the State and they certainly didn’t disappoint. This season All Schools delivered some of the very best athletics from student athletes that we have seen for some time. Blue Stars’ members were certainly among them, and what a week of athletics and top line competition they had. Sprinter Brodie McCluskey taking out the girls 13 years 200m then backing this up with a great silver in the 100m. She was joined by club mate and also newcomer to our club, Lauren Percival who took 2nd in her 200m, then was placed 2nd in her 100m. It was great sprinting by these two talented young athletes.
Matthew Arregui, the youngest of the IBS group, made his final of the 100m in his first appearance at the All Schools. Callem Brown and Alex Harris were unlucky to not make the final of the sprints in one of the most competitive sprint fields seen for some time. Grace Adams had a great return to the track in her 100m taking out 2nd and then backing up with a second in her hurdles. Sister Ashlyn making the final and both girls qualifying for Nationals.
Elias Oldfield ran a great 400m bringing home the bronze in the boys 13 years event, showing the potential this young man has over this distance. Older athlete Jonty Faulkner came 5th in his 400m, having had his last run at All Schools and now moving into the U20 division. Javelin thrower Alex Del Popolo took out bronze in his javelin with a throw of 50.73m, below his interclub performance but happy with his 3rd placing in windy, blustering conditions. Young thrower Charlotte Smith finished in 8th spot while brother Joshua finished in 14th spot and Elias Oldfied taking 10th in the same event, the boys 13 years javelin.
Our members who ventured to the All Schools, some making their appearance for the first time at such a high level meet, can walk away proudly, having gained some valuable experience from what can only be described as the best junior talent in the State. Overall, the performances were some of the best we have had, and a tribute to coaches and athletes on their great preparation for this meet.