The Crucible
The State Championships served up a brutal test of character as UTS Norths masters athletes battled through oppressive humidity and sudden, torrential downpours. Yet, the conditions only seemed to steel the resolve of the red and black. In a display of elite consistency following last year’s massive haul, the club pulled together to secure 102 podium finishes—58 Gold, 24 Silver, and 20 Bronze—maintaining their status as a powerhouse of the state circuit despite the challenging Campbelltown climate. This number has been adjusted from the initial weekend post as we still await the official Athletics Live Results to be posted.
Track Dominance
The sprinters and hurdlers anchored the club's presence despite the heavy, humid air. Monique Perry was clinical, claiming a clean sweep of gold across the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m. Daniel Nolan dominated the 100m and 200m double, while Ben Hargy secured gold in the 60m and slashed his 200m time to a 26.35 season's best. Ryan Dowling proved his class in the 110m Hurdles to claim gold in his return to the barriers since becoming World Champion in Gotheburg (2024) with further hurdle victories secured by Victor Ramondetta, newcomer Elizabeth Morison, Tim McGrath and the recently crowned W50 National Recordholder Nicki Drinkwater. Choo Huat Tan and Gregory Tolpigin added to the medal count with commanding gold-medal runs in the 100m and 200m respectively. Sarah Hall showcased her range, claiming gold in the 400m before securing silver in the short sprints.
The middle-distance squad provided the meet's high-water marks, rewriting the club record books in the humid conditions. Kriszta Kovacs was sensational, shattering club records in both the 800m (2:30.24) and 1500m (5:13.47). Brad Sharpe matched that intensity, resetting the club benchmarks in the 800m (2:37.27) and the 2000m Steeplechase (8:37.23). Chris Todd claimed gold in the 800m, while Ron Ross secured a dominant victory in the 400m and fought hard for silver in the 800m, slashing his 2025 best by four seconds. The race walkers showed equal grit, as Sandy Hoy and Carmel Parker dominated the 5000m field to secure victories.
In the 400m Hurdles, Chris Greatrex fought through a punishing final straight to improve his club record with 1:11.43 performance.
Field Mastery
The field events saw the club’s heavy lifters and multi-event workhorses thrive. Antoinette Baron delivered a complete masterclass, launching to gold in the Shot Put, Hammer Throw, Discus, Javelin, and Weight Throw. Sandy Hoy matched that workload, claiming weight throw gold and achieving massive season's bests in the Discus, Hammer, and Triple Jump. Nicki Drinkwater was a force across the pits and rings, clearing the High Jump and launching to victory in the Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, and Javelin.
The sand and rings were the site of multiple shattered records. Sarah Hall found elite length in the Triple Jump, rewriting the record books with a massive 8.16m leap breaking her training partners record in the process. In the throwing circle, Sergei Zablotskii shined, resetting the club benchmark with a 33.27m hammer throw. Nicholas Bastas stood tall in the M85 category, claiming gold in the 100m, Long Jump, and Javelin. Alison Lumley launched a winning 28.86m discus throw, while Tim McGrath and Trevor Young both dominated their respective Discus and High Jump fields. Joanna Davis cleared 1.35m to win the High Jump, and Cynthia Thomson secured silver in the Triple Jump with a 7.25m mark.
The 2026 Debutants
The next generation of Norths talent made an immediate impact in their first season with the club. Peter Bacon, Giuseppe Valletta, and Sergei Zablotskii each showcased their strength in the throwing rings, while Melvin David John and Michael Lumley pushed hard through their sprint campaigns to secure placements for the club. Craig Baker was effective across several disciplines, securing victories in the 110m Hurdles, 200m, and Javelin Throw. Kriszta Kovacs made her presence felt immediately with an elite record-breaking double in the middle distance events.
Beyond the Track: NSW Masters Athletics Awards
The NSW Masters Athletics association recently highlighted the season's most dedicated competitors, stepping up efforts to recognise those who consistently perform at the highest level across both NSW Masters and Athletics NSW showcases at these Championships. UTS Norths was heavily represented, proving our athletes deliver far more than just a "one and done" appearance.
A massive congratulations goes to our stellar cast of nominees. The sprint and hurdle categories saw Maximum Effort squad standouts Monique Perry, Maryann Hearn, Ashley McMahon and Ryan Dowling earn well-deserved nods. Kriszta Kovacs and Deborah Drennan were recognised in the middle distance and steeplechase, while the Ron Bendall coached Nicki Drinkwater and Antoinette Baron (Maria Cimino - Throws) secured nominations for their relentless multi-event and jumps campaigns. Nicholas Pawsey (RYDE - Maximum Effort coached) grabbed a jumps nomination, and Trevor Young (self) was recognised for his role in the M65 National 4x100m relay squad.
When it came time to announce the winners, the red and black claimed some major hardware. Chris Todd (self) was crowned Best Male in the Middle Distance and Steeplechase, while Antoinette Woodward (self) secured the Best Female Walks title. Adding to the club's prestige, Ashley McMahon and Ryan Dowling—teaming up with David Diep (BKAC) and Steven Blacker (BALM) took home the Relay Award for their blistering M45 4x100m at the Sydney Track Classic, a performance that officially shattered the State Record.
The Final Straight
A massive tip of the cap goes to Life Member and club legend Stuart Paterson—a man with 23 club records to his name—who stood as our sole dedicated Official this weekend. While plenty of our athletes rolled up their sleeves to retrieve implements between rounds, officially volunteering at upcoming meets like the NSW Junior and Open Championships comes with serious perks. Beyond securing free event entry, it guarantees you the best seat in the house with an up-close, trackside view of the action.
Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the nation’s capital. The Australian Masters Championships kick off from March 6–9 across the AIS and Woden tracks. We wish our travelling contingent the absolute best as they dial in their final preparations and get ready to execute on the national stage.
UTS Norths Results at the Athletics NSW State Masters Championships: 20-22 February 2026
Alison Lumley – W45 400m 1:23.35 4th, 800m 3:32.04 3rd, Discus 28.86m 1st, Hammer 27.67m 2nd, Javelin 19.10m 2nd, Shot Put 7.08m 5th
Andy West – M55 200m 30.66 6th
Anthony Crimi – M60 100m 14.43 4th
Antoinette Baron – W75 Discus 13.59m 1st, Hammer 21.91m 1st, Javelin 11.82m 1st, Shot Put 6.03m 1st, Weight Throw 10.18m 1st
Ben Hargy – M50 60m 8.12 1st, 100m Prelims 12.67q, 100m Final 12.47 3rd, 200m 26.35 2nd, Long Jump 4.23m 5th,
Brad Sharpe – M65 800m 2:37.27 1st, 2000m Steeplechase 8:37.23 1st
Bronwyn Kelaher – W60 60m 10.77 7th, 100m 17.26 7th, 200m 38.99 3rd
Carmel Parker – W60 5000m Race Walk 36:30.77 1st
Choo Huat Tan – M50 100m Prelims 12.23Q, 100m Final 12.21 1st
Chris Greatrex – M55 400m Hurdles 111.43 3rd
Chris Mulcahy – M55 60m 8.62 4th, 100m 13.82 8th, 200m 28.66 4th, 400m 1:05.27 6th
Chris Todd – M50 800m 215.78 1st
Craig Baker – M40 110m Hurdles 17.53 1st, 200m Prelims 26.75Q 4th, 200m Final 25.21 1st, Discus 33.43m 4th, Javelin 44.96m 1st
Cynthia Thomson – W60 60m 9.61 4th, 100m 15.86 4th, Triple Jump 7.25m 4th, Shot Put 7.67m 4th
Daniel Nolan – M30 100m - Prelims 11.76Q, 100m Final 11.73 2nd, 200m 24.48 1st
David Neill – M50 400m 59.98 2nd
Deborah Drennan – W65 800m 3:05.61 1st
Douglas Whelan – M50 Discus 23.33m 10th, Shot Put 9.21m 7th
Elizabeth Morison – W40 100m 13.99 6th, 200m 29.52 6th, 80m Hurdles 76.2cm 13.35 1st, High Jump 1.35m 3rd, Long Jump 4.66m 2nd, Javelin 24.48m 4th, Shot Put 8.64m 5th
Giuseppe Valletta – M40 Discus 29.46m 5th
Gregory Tolpigin – M45 200m 24.38 1st
Helena Smith – W35 Discus 25.14m 3rd, Hammer 30.63m 2nd, Javelin 19.31m 8th, Shot Put 8.73m 4th, Weight Throw 9.86m 2nd
Janet Naylon – W55 60m 10.07 5th, 100m 17.35 5th, Long Jump 3.28m 2nd, Javelin 18.24m 5th, Shot Put 7.18m 4th
Joanna Davis – W45 60m 8.54 3rd, 200m 28.48 3rd, High Jump 1.35m 1st
Jon Cheung – M40 100m - Prelims 12.79q, 100m Final 12.68 5th, Long Jump 4.42m 6th
Kathleen Cook – W85 60m 12.79 1st, 100m 21.71 1st
Kriszta Kovacs – W50 800m 2:30.24 1st, 1500m 5:13.47 1st
Lindsay Scholle – M55 1500m 5:01.62 2nd, 3000m Steeplechase13:59.07 2nd
Luc Remond – M50 1500m 4:56.38 2nd
Margaret Thomas – W65 400m 1:27.55 2nd, 800m 3:23.75 3rd, 1500m 7:22.54 3rd, Javelin 11.13m 4th
Martin Szeto – M40 60m 8.37 9th, 100m - Prelims 12.70Q, 100m Final 12.69 6th, 200m - Prelims 26.38Q, 200m Final 26.50 3rd
Matteo Passerini – M40 Long Jump 6.08m 1st
Melissa Ryan – W50 400m 1:10.63 2nd
Melvin David John – M30 60m 7.86 3rd, 100m - Prelims 12.43Q, 100m Final 12.64 7th, 200m 25.62
Michael Lumley – M60 60m 9.62 4th, 200m 33.31 5th, 800m 3:09.78 5th
Monique Perry – W50 60m 7.92 1st, 100m 12.56 1st, 200m 26.91 1st, 400m 1:04.39 1st
Nicholas Bastas – M85 100m 20.58 1st, Long Jump 2.90m 1st, Javelin 15.90m 1st
Nicki Drinkwater – W50 80m Hurdles 76.2cm 13.15 1st, High Jump 1.46m 1st, Long Jump 4.42m 1st, Triple Jump 8.78m 1st, Javelin 26.77m 1st, Shot Put 11.69m 1st
Peter Bacon M75 - Discus 12.29m 2nd, Hammer 12.42m 1st, Javelin 11.35m 1st, Shot Put 6.78m 1st, Weight Throw 7.99m 1st
Ron Ross – M65 400m 1:08.70 1st, 800m 2:40.76 2nd
Ryan Dowling – M45 110m Hurdles 99.1cm 15.75 1st
Sandy Hoy – W55 5000m Race Walk 40:32.80 1st, High Jump 1.05m 2nd, Long Jump 3.05m 3rd, Triple Jump 6.79m 3rd, Discus 20.18m 4th, Hammer 23.03m 4th, Javelin 18.40m 4th, Shot Put 7.18m 5th, Weight Throw 6.94m 1st
Sarah Hall – W60 60m 9.89 5th, 100m 15.87 5th, 400m 1:20.58 1st, Long Jump 3.30m 3rd, Triple Jump 8.16m 2nd, Discus 16.88m 7th, Shot Put 7.26m 5th
Sergei Zablotskii – M65 Hammer 33.27m 1st,
Shane Decker – M40 5000m 2306.29 4th
Tim McGrath – M60 100m Hurdles 19.61 1st, Long Jump 4.34m 2nd, Discus 40.25m 1st, Javelin 32.61m 2nd, Shot Put 5kg 10.91m 2nd
Trevor Young – M65 400m 1:09.03 2nd, High Jump 1.15m 1st, Discus 23.95m 8th, Javelin 20.79m 7th, Shot Put 5kg 7.27m 3rd
Victor Ramondetta – M70 80m Hurdles 17.73 1st, 300m Hurdles 57.21 1st, 400m 1:12.89 1st
Warren Jones – M45 60m 10.34 9th, 100m - Prelims 17.09 11th, Long Jump 3.02m 5th, Discus 22.45m 6th, Hammer 27.46m 2nd, Javelin 21.93m 5th, Shot Put 7.22m 3rd, Weight Throw 7.09m 4th
Zoran Novicic – M65 Long Jump 3.39m 3rd, Triple Jump 7.19m 1st
