The 121st AAGPS Athletics Championships held on Saturday 10 September at Sydney Olympic Park saw the Black and White Army “shouting out for the boy” in the stands to the rhythm and beat of the Newington drums. Hot off Rio Olympic fever,1100 boys crammed into the seats and roared as one as the sprints and distance events came home, and jumps and throws went longer and higher in the field. 

Our athletes’ commitment to training and performance at the three lead-in meets before the finale was excellent, and now that the Championship is held in Spring, the weather made it a comfortable climate for even the most gruelling events such as the 3000 metre race.

Newington had a team of over ninety boys across the three divisions – junior, intermediate and senior. This was the largest Newington team in recent years and it was particularly special to see the Year 7 boys get involved. Whether a nail-biting photo finish or seconds to spare, the boys never relented in their support from the stands. 

The relays as usual brought the over 10,000 strong spectators to silence before an eruption of drums, bagpipes and chants. Well done to our 4×100 Metre Relay U15 team adding the full 20 points with a win.  

Overall points saw some outstanding results in the Intermediate division to bring Newington to within one point, on 369, of the division winners The King’s School on 370 Points – with a gap of some 61 points to St Ignatius’ College in 3rd place. Our Junior division performed very well also with a 3rd place behind The King’s School and Saint Ignatius’ College.  

Angus Beer (9/ME) gave the boys plenty of reasons to cheer as he broke the U14 800m and 1500m records. Angus broke two minutes for the 800m and ran 4:12 for the 1500m, breaking the record by ten seconds! In fine sportsmanship he stood waiting to shake the hand of each competitor over the line. 

Fellow record breaker, James Roach (10/MA) equalled the U15 200m record, clocking in at  22:35 in a masterfully controlled hair’s breadth finish. 

In track and field events, James Karabesinis (10/KL) in the U15 Long Jump event equalled Lachlan Little’s (ON 2012) record and jumped 6.35 m.

Full results are listed on Athletics SPACES 

Congratulations to The King’s School on their achievements in taking out all three divisions.