Polding Athletics 2018

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recently hosted over 800 athletes at the Hunter Sports Centre in Glendale for the NSW Polding Athletics Championships.

Families travelled from as far afield as Lismore, Armidale, Bathurst, Wilcannia Forbes and Broken Bay for the carnival which was opened by CSO Director of Schools, Dr Michael Slattery.

The students from the Diocese performed very well with 25 students qualifying for the Polding squad which will compete at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships at Homebush on 31 October and 1 November.

Poppy Doran from St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlestown continued to impress, winning gold in the senior girls 200m, silver in the 800m and bronze in the 100m.

Her sister, Phoebe Doran, finished an impressive 2nd in the 11 years 800m event, while Abe Russell from St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar, again dominated in the 11 years 800m finishing 2nd.

The Diocese showcased some polished sprinters with Olivia Johns from St Patrick’s, Cessnock placing 2nd in the 100m final after winning her heat; Anita Olie from St Joseph’s, East Maitland, won the 9 years heat before taking out the final; Hope Kuliesa Keen from St Joseph’s, Charlestown came 2nd to Anita; Lewis Rollason from St Paul’s, Rutherford finished 3rd in the 10 years 100m and Stephanie and Tamara Redcliffe finished 2nd and 3rd in the 13 years 100m.

Two relay teams qualified, with St Joseph’s, Charlestown securing a spot in the senior girls and St Joseph’s, Bulahdelah winning a spot in the small school relay.

Students from the Diocese also did well in field events with Hannah Chicken from St Joseph’s, Taree placing 2nd in the shot put, Madeline Platt from St Kevin’s, Cardiff won bronze in junior discus, Chris Mulherin from Corpus Christi, Waratah came 2nd in junior long jump, Xavier Stewart from St Michael’s, Nelson Bay won the senior long jump, Eve Keeling from St Columba’s, Adamstown came 2nd in senior long jump and Sienna Liva from St Patrick’s, Lochinvar finished 2nd in the shot.

Our athletes competing in multi-class events also shone with Jessie Forbes from Our Lady of Victories, Shortland, winning her division in the 100m, 200m, long jump and shot put.

Alexander Brown from St James’, Kotara South placed 2nd in the shot and 3rd in both the senior 100m and 200m event, while Dylan Molloy from Holy Family, Merewether Beach, ran 2nd in the senior 200m.

Full track events results, field event results and multi class event results are available.

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