If you read my report from last year, this may sound familiar (or more like a broken record) but the Newington faithful were greeted by a spectacular day which was to be the most successful Athletics Carnival in recent memory. Well over 400 boys from Lindfield and Wyvern packed the stands for a new look and improved carnival program.

As usual, we started with the 800m and we were greeted with a familiar sight once again as young Bili Robertson scorched the track to win the Junior event, ahead of a fast finishing James MacGregor. Clearly hampered by illness, the young Wyvernite showed every bit of courage in the gruelling event. Matthew Torrible was first home for the 9 years, with Nicholas Venetoulis nipping at his heels.

In the 11’s race it was a classic finish with Fletcher Jakes leaving it to the last 50m to overcome Will Creighton, whilst in the 12’s it was Cross Country king Oscar Moody having to dig deep to pass a vastly improving Harry Bell in an all Lindfield battle.

With the 800’s finished and all the boys assembled in the stands, it was time for the fun and games to begin. With only four rotations to negotiate this year, all involved were very confident that relays would be the blue ribbon event for the end of the day.

On the track, the 8’s and 9’s showed why the future looks bright at both campuses with some stellar performances. In the 8’s it was Richard Hunt (100m) and Will Nicholas (200m) sharing the honours in the 100m and 200m respectively, with Cameron Davey-Webb closely behind in both. Cameron would then go on to win the Age Champion award in this age group, with both Richard and Will sharing the runner up title.

In the 9’s Alec Peterson (100m) and Mitchell Cope (200m) took out the sprinting crown with Harry Stuart and Matthew Torrible close behind. In the field it was Lipina Ata who starred, taking out the Turbo Javelin, Shot Put and Discus events, helping himself to the age champion crown. Sprint star Peterson was close behind in second, with Torrible 3rd.

In the 10’s young Bili Robertson did not have it all his own way, with new kid on the block Aiden Mostofi sprinting his way to victory in the 100 and 200m events, before taking out the long jump. Robertson hit back with victory in the high jump and a strong placing in the turbo javelin to take out the age championship ahead of Mostofi. Up and comer James Whiteing finished 3rd overall.

The 11 years saw multi-talented athlete Willem Rumi show he is not just a talent in the pool as he won the 100 and 200m double. But if he was brilliant on the track, young Atticus Bertrams was so in the field events, winning the shot put, discus and finishing 2nd in the high jump. This earned him the age championship, just ahead of Oliver Kleppich, with Rumi in 3rd.

In the 12 years it was a race between two, with Harry Bell and Anthony Papadimitriou jousting it out for the top honours. Harry finished 1st in the 200m and 2nd in the 100m, whereas Anthony’s 1st in both the High Jump and Shot Put, plus 2nd in both the Long Jump and 100m had him crowned 12 years winner, with Harry in 2nd. Ever improving Will Flannigan was 3rd.

The highlight of the day without doubt was the relays, and the buzz from the stands leading into the event was electric. First out of the blocks was the Junior 4 x 100m and Coates led from start to finish in a Jamaican-style victory with Bili Robertson crossing the line in first, ahead of Lucas and Howe. In the seniors it was a much tighter affair, with all 6 houses changing together at the last change. With Harry Bell and Sebastian Vardavas swapping the lead, it was the powerful finish of Vardavas that won out in the end. Howe were first, Kingswood 2nd and Lucas 3rd. A fantastic end to what was a spectacular day. Thank you to all that were involved and for the parents who ventured out and cheered on their budding athletes.

ATHLETICS RESULTS 2014

POINT SCORING

 AGE CHAMPIONS

Mark Caulfield

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