With COVID-19 forcing an early end to athletics competitions in early March and causing a delayed start to the 2020-21 season, there was a feeling of a return to some sort of normality with the running of two recent championship carnivals.
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Usually held in September, the NSW All Schools Championships for high school students aged from 12 to 19 was conducted earlier in December.
The four-day event held at Homebush was this year's first state-wide junior athletics event since March and produced some excellent results for members of Raymond Terrace Athletics Centre.
"Raymond Terrace had three athletes competing for their high schools and all came home with personal best (PB) results. Some events had over 45 competitors," said the centre's publicity officer Deidre Hall.
Cody Hancock, 15, brought home silver medals in the triple jump with a 50cm personal best jump of 12.63m and long jump with a 20cm PB of 6.36m; and a bronze medal in the pole vault with 2.3m at his first ever attempt.
His other results were 100m hurdles 7th, discus 10th and 100m 20th.
Another 15-year-old, Ebony Newton, won bronze in the 200m, and finished 4th in both the 100m with a PB and in the 16 years 100m hurdles.
Dixie Conlon, 14, finished 5th in the long jump with a PB of 4.55m, 6th in triple jump, 7th in 80m hurdles, 12th in 100m with a PB of 13.89 and 14th in the 200m with a PB of 29.10.
Terrace athletes also competed in the inaugural NSW Masters Indoor Championships held at Somersby, featuring the weight throw, super weight throw and shot put events.
Talented thrower Morgan Clifford came home with three gold medals. In the 40 years' category "Morgan threw weights that most of us would struggle to pick up", Hall said.
With a 7.26kg shot put, he reached a distance of 10.24m, while in the 16kg weight throw, he reached his best distance of 8.7m. But his biggest challenge was the 25kg super weight where he threw an amazing distance of 5.57m.
"Although the schools carnival presented many challenges due to the COVID protocols, the quality of competition was still of a high standard and athletes from their various schools enjoyed being able to catch up with their many athletics friends," Hall said.
"There were the mandatory health precautions and social distancing rules for athletes, while spectators were required to remain seated during competition. Food and refreshments were only available for a specified time each day, competition merchandise was only available online; and COVID-safe marshals on duty.
"All of these athletes are to be congratulated for their determination, resilience and exceptional efforts."
