Mid West athletes triumph at All Schools Championships as several book tickets to nationals

Several Mid West Academy of Sport athletes excelled at one of the season’s biggest track and field events last weekend, the All Schools State Championships.

A record-sized field saw 145 WA schools battle across 250 events not only for pride and individual success, but also for the chance to be selected for the WA State team bound for nationals in December.

Nevaeh Hill, 16, had an outstanding meet winning the 400m hurdles by over 40m in a very smart time of 64 seconds.

She went on to win the shorter 100m hurdles to claim the double gold and confirmed her spot in the State team.

Gary Clark Chairman of the Mid West Academy of Sport and their track and field coach said given the blustery conditions in Perth over the weekend this was an exceptional performance.

“It is the first time she has won at this level over a shorter distance and is reward for her dedication and commitment,” he said.

“I expect her to be one of the favourites at the national championships in Adelaide later in the year.”

Christi Bestry, an under-16 competitor, continued her winter cross-country form in which she was undefeated at a State level, also winning two gold medals in the tough distance events the 3000m and 2000m steeple.

Clark said she led all the way in both events extending her lead on every lap and won at a canter with personal best times.

“These wins have not come easy as Christi has been working extremely hard, training six days a week. She is also off to Adelaide with the state team and is expected to do well,” he said.

Ella Batten contested the under-17 100m hurdles and high jump as a lead-up to her favoured event the heptathlon to be held later in the year.

In a close finish, she placed a very credible third in the hurdles and went on to pick up a silver in the high jump with a leap of 1.60m and just missing 1.65.

These results would score well in the heptathlon and Clark expected her to be a strong contender for gold at the States and be a contender at the Nationals.

“Ella’s sister Sophie also won gold in the under-19 400m and silver in the 100m hurdles and although disappointed with her times it has been a tough lead-up with Year 12 exams having to take preference, a remarkable effort given the circumstances,” he said.

“All four girls have again made the State team a great result for the Academy and Geraldton athletics.”

Another MWAS athlete Riley Heinrich ran well in the 1500m and 2000m steeple and while he did not place in either event, he did run personal bests in both.

Other athletes taking part in the championships included Alyssa Bergsman who made the final of the very competitive under-13 200m. Taylah Dean gained a bronze medal with a very good run in the under-16 90m hurdles.

Macey Hadley made the final in the shot put, javelin and 200m, Paige Heinrich in her first State competition ran well in the 80m hurdles and 400m and Indie Singleton contested the 3000m.

The All Schools National Championships will be held from December 9-11 in Adelaide.