Raymond Terrace athletes performed well at the annual Port Hunter zone championships conducted at Vi Barnett Field in Raymond Terrace last weekend, taking out the handicap pointscore and finishing runner-up overall.
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The zone is made up of centres at Raymond Terrace, Stockton, Port Stephens, Wallsend, Thornton, Woodberry, Tilligerry, Myall Coast, Adamstown-New Lambton and Medowie.
Athletes experienced a range of weather conditions over the weekend, with initial temperatures 17 degrees until Saturday lunchtime when wind and light rain set in. In contrast temperature of over 30 degree were recorded on the Sunday.
A number of Terrace athletes have qualified to compete in the regional championships to take place on February 1 and 2 at the Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale.
Only one under 7 Raymond Terrace athlete, Arlia Drosd, competed on the weekend coming away with a gold medal in each of her two events: the 70m and long jump, with a personal best jump of 2.76m. Under 7 athletes are awarded medals at zone as they do not progress to the regional titles.
There were personal bests in every age group with 10 Raymond Terrace athletes breaking 13 records over the weekend.
Record breakers were under 8 Paige Matthews; under 11 Zac Thomson (2); under 12 Ashlyn Wall; under 13 Sienna Newton; under 14 Conor Matthews; under 15 Cody Hancock, Ebony Newton (2); and under 17 Thomas Bray, Mitchell Lightfoot and Nathan Swan (2).
The senior boys relay team (under 13 to 17) consisting of Hayden Clarke, Cody Hancock, Bailey Whiting and Mitchell Lightfoot, won gold while the girls senior relay team finished 3rd and the junior boys (under 9 to 12) came in 4th.
The Raymond Terrace athletes are to be commended for their behaviour, sportsmanship and achievements. Prior to Region, the athletes will have the opportunity to compete at the NSW Country Championships to be held at Dubbo from Friday to Sunday, January 17 to 19.
In other news, Raymond Terrace and Port Stephens little athletics centres have received grants totaling $7700 from Coles to buy brand new sports gear thanks to funds raised through the sale of Coles' Community Chiller Bags.
The two centres in Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay are among 316 across Australia to share in more than $1.1 million in sports equipment grants from Coles.
Port Stephens Little Athletics' president Bob Walkley said the $4100 grant will make a big difference to their centre, particularly for the parent volunteers.
"We'll be able to buy a new tractor that will enable our volunteers to move equipment, particularly our high jump mats from storage to the track much more efficiently and effectively," he said.
