Athletics Carnival

Friday 18 September saw the Caterer, Wilson and Farr ovals turned into a theatre of all things Athletics as St Peter’s College hosted the 155th Senior School Athletics Carnival. Warm weather and blue skies set the scene for an amazing day of community connection, House spirit and fierce but friendly competition as classmates and best friends donned their respective colours to represent their House.

Of course, an SPSC Athletics Carnival is preceded by an extensive trials period. This year, a new House-based format was trialed and in what can only be labelled as a success, more than 8500 individual trials (approximately 1500 more than last year) were recorded in the three weeks leading up to Championship week, despite the frequent efforts of Mother Nature to ‘rain on our parade’.

Championship week was expanded this year to include some field events due to works on upgraded Athletics facilities. These additional events helped wet the appetite for what was to come, nothing less than the breaking of the U16 800 metre record in the lead up to the day.

The Carnival Day itself saw amazing attendance from students and families all supported by an energetic staff in hosting a full day of events. Congratulations to Woodcock House on securing the Junior, Senior and Champion Athletic House trophies. Special mentions to:

• A K ‘Scotchy’ Gordon (SCH 1946) Trophy for the most outstanding performance: Will Cooksey (HWK Year 10) for his record breaking 800m.
• Chris Taylor Medal for Open 1500m winner: Hugo Browne (WDK Year 12)

Age Champions

• U13: Champion – Ollie Skeer (HWK) | Runner Up – Jack Albanese (HWK)
• U14: Champion – Lincoln Meng (MAC) | Runner Up – Khai Bui (DAC)
• U15: Champion – Will Allen (S&A) | Runner Up – Matteo Tonga (DAC)
• U16: Champions – Will Cooksey (HWK) and Joshua Davies (WDK)
• U17: Champion – Ryan Weinert (FLL) | Runners Up – Hunter Di Blasio (MAC) and Oscar Kleinig (FRR)
• Open: Champion – Harry Clark (S&A) | Runner Up – Harvey Crane (S&A)

Three new records were set:

• Will Cooksey (HWK Year 10) broke the U16 800m with a time of 2.10.11.
• Da Costa House set a new record in the U15 Swedish relay with a time of 2.17.30.
• School & Allen House set a new Open Swedish relay record with a time of 2.10.11.

A day like this could not have happened without the tireless efforts of the greater team including teachers, operational staff, ground keepers, expert coaches and officials and they deserve a special thank you! Thank you also to the Senior School Friends of Saints committee and parent volunteers who cooked and served thousands of sausages to our hungry competitiors!

To every boy that competed on the day, whether you carried an egg and spoon, hurled a Discus or graced the track, congratulations on another fantastic Athletics Carnival!

VIEW THE ATHLETICS DAY GALLERY

Ben Haines 
Head of Athletic Development