UTS Norths Athletics Club made a powerful statement at the 2025 NSW All-Schools Championships, showcasing an impressive depth of talent across the four-day competition that drew 3,278 athletes from 490 schools. With 40 athletes representing 26 schools from Norths we delivered an outstanding performance, securing a remarkable 36 podium finishes from a possible 82 events for a conversion rate of 43%.

The club's success was spearheaded by an incredible 18 gold medals, alongside 8 silver and 10 bronze. Athletes across all age groups and disciplines stepped up, with several athletes achieving multiple podiums.

Sprint and Hurdle Success

Norths sprinters and hurdlers were in top form, bringing home a large share of the medals. In the 100m hurdles, the club took two podiums with a stunning 1st and 3rd finish. Jocelyn Blair (17) led the way with a gold medal performance in 14.32 and Catherine Mikan (17) in third with 14.39. Annika Boys (17) ran up an age securing a silver medal with a time of 14.77.

In the 100m sprint, Tara Hollyoak (17) claimed a gold medal with a time of 12.22, while Jocelyn Blair and Ellie Fairall (15) both secured bronze medals.

Other notable sprint performances included Olly McDonald (17) and Samara Bond (18), who both won gold in the 400m sprint and silver and gold respectively in the 200m sprint. Annika Boys (17) also took home a gold in the 400m hurdles, with Thomas Scodellaro (16) and Catherine Mikan (17) earned silver and bronze in their respective events.

Field Athletes Leap to Victory

Norths field athletes were just as dominant, particularly in the jumping events. The club secured a clean sweep of the gold medals in the high jump, with Cadel Holmes (17), Catherine Mikan (17), and Conor Williams (14) all finishing in first place in their events.

In the long jump, three different athletes won gold: Amalia Bond (15), Tara Hollyoak (17), and James Mikan (14), with Conor Williams adding a bronze medal to his high jump gold. Amalia Bond and James Mikan were unstoppable in the triple jump, both winning gold, with Catherine Mikan claiming the triple as well in 12.21m.

Distance Runners Go the Distance

Distance running is having a resurgence with the Central Performance Juniors out in force. Ava Garnys (18) showed her strength and endurance with a first-place finish in the 1500m run and a second-place finish in the 5000m. Philippa Quarrell (15) also had a fantastic meet, taking home bronze in both the 1500m and 3000m events. Beatrice Garnys (13) added to the medal count with a third-place finish in the 1500m.

Throwers Power Through

Elizabeth Whelan (16) took top honours in the hammer throw, with Emily Govers (17) adding a bronze medal to the event. Elisabeth Pulis (17) earned a silver in the discus, while Ruann Eksteen (18) and Caitlyn Yu (13) both secured silver medals in the javelin.

The top two athletes will progress to the National All Schools in Melbourne later this year in December to take on the best the country has to offer. 

Coaches Corner

Two coaching partnerships shared the top involvement on the podium during this Championship with Ryan Dowling and Ashley McMahon and Katie Edwards and Melinda Gainsford Taylor both with 9 podiums.

5 athletes who are self-coached or part of a training group without a formally listed coach were next on the list, the alternative could be an administrative gap where the coach's name was not recorded for those specific results. This data field "Please tell us the name of your coach" is an Athletics NSW data field and is used in specific information campaigns throughout the season, so it is important you update it to reflect accurate details. This can be updated when you navigate to Athletics NSW and login on your profile page.

Amanda Coombe and Shaun Edwards both had 3 podium involvements with Mike Hamlin Harris, Andy Burton, Bart Steanes, and Ben Liddy with 2 podiums each. Allan Sadul, Jane Jamieson, Johan Eksteen, Michael Holmes, and Matt Rollo brought up the long tail of coaches with a single podium finish that is sometimes typical for high-performance sports.

We wish the members a welcome back to school week and ask that they look out for the registration portals for the upcoming Treloar Series. The club will be leaning towards the coaches to encourage and plan the pre Christmas program towards the Treloar Shield and Relay Championships.

Image: Olly breaking Miles Murphy 400m mark of 47.60 (1984) with a new time of 46.85 (courtesy of Greg Griffis)

link to the Athletics NSW All Schools News