Diocesan Primary Athletics Carnival

More than 400 athletes attended the Diocesan Primary Athletics Carnival at Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale.

Several diocesan records were broken on the day, and a 1500m event was staged for the first time resulting in some outstanding times.

• Phoebe Doran from St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlestown broke her sister Poppy’s record by 3sec in the 12-13yrs 800m with a time of 2:39:58.
• Aurelia Russell from St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar broke the record in the 11yrs 800m with a time of 2:39:25.
• Harriet Gidley Baird from St James’ Primary School, Muswellbrook broke the record in the girls 12-13yrs high jump, clearing the bar at 1.39m.

A strong team will represent the Diocese at Polding in Sydney on October 18.

Diocesan Secondary Athletics Championships

Many records were broken at the Diocesan Secondary Athletics Championships, also held at Hunter Sports Centre, and a strong team was selected for the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges meet next month at Homebush.

• Torrie Lewis from St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead with a time of 11.88sec broke the record in the 14yrs 100m that had stood since 1979, and then set a new record in the 200m with a time of 24.90sec.
• Michael McCarthy from St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul broke the record in the 13yrs 100m that had stood since 1980 with a time of 11.97sec.
• Harrison Doley from All Saints’ College, St Mary’s Campus, Maitland smashed the record in the 17+ 800m with a time of 1:59:68.
• Travis Peterson from St Pius X High School, Adamstown broke the record in the 16yrs shot put with a throw of 14.43m.
• Liam Fairweather from All Saints’ College, St Mary’s Campus, Maitland broke a long-standing record from 1990 in the 17+ long jump, leaping 6.87m.
• Riley Blewitt from All Saints’ College, St Peter’s Campus, Maitland broke the record in the junior triple jump with a distance of 11.34m.
• Kane Thomas from St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul equalled the record in the senior triple jump at 12.75m.

We look forward to some very promising results at the NSWCCC.

Torrie Lewis’s record in the 14yrs 100m was faster than any age group. She now holds the 12yrs, 13yrs and 14yrs 100m records, so a bright future beckons for Torrie.

Some students will have a busy day at NSWCCC representing the Diocese in four or more events. They are Grace Baker from Booragul, Alexander Browne from Adamstown, Luke Marco from Aberdeen, Ebony Newton from Maitland and Thomas Webster from Booragul.  

NSWPSSA Athletics Trials

Seven students from the Diocese competed at the NSWPSSA Athletics Trials at SOPAC on Thursday, August 8, including Anita Olie from St Joseph’s, East Maitland, Piper Bowen from Holy Name, Forster, Sienna Newton from St John The Baptist, Maitland, Aurelia Russell from St Patrick’s, Lochinvar, Phoebe Doran from St Joseph’s, Charlestown, Sam Govender from St Mary’s, Warners Bay and Liam Martin from St Paul’s, Gateshead.

• Anita Olie qualified second fastest for the final of the 10yrs 100m.
• Liam Martin performed well in the discus, finishing fourth.
• Sam Govender performed extremely well all day. He qualified for the final in the 200m where he improved greatly on his heat time to finish second. He also qualified third fastest for the 12yrs 100m, maintained his speed, and finished third in the final. Sam also finished fifth in the long jump. He will now represent NSW as part of the NSWPSSA team that heads to Darwin in September for the School Sport Australia National Championships.

The Diocese is very proud of all students’ outstanding achievements.