An "unheard of" number of Dubbo juniors will contest the 2019 Athletics Australia Junior Track and Field Championships next month, after more athletes qualified at the NSW titles in February.
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Maya Piras, Millie Gooch, Ella Penman, Nosa Obaseki and Lochie Townsend will join more than 3500 of Australia's best track and field athletes at Sydney Olympic Park from April 1 to 7.
It's more local representation than Dubbo Athletics's Mark Penman can remember in his six years coaching with the club.
"As far as I'm aware the most we've got was two, so to have five is fantastic," Penman said.
"We could certainly see that the talent was there and they've all shown commitment towards the sport, and all seven of the athletes that went to the NSW Championships had great results.
"Everyone involved with the club is extremely proud of how they're going - not only from their results, but the way that they're leaders within the club."
Hoping to 'leave with a bang'
In another unusual feat, Nosa will represent NSW in all four throwing events, after winning gold in the hammer and bronze in the javelin.
Nosa said "a fair few boys" represented NSW in all four events at last year's titles, but he's the only one in 2019.
And as his football and school commitments ramp up, these junior titles could be Nosa's last.
'I definitely wasn't going to let it stop me...'
When Millie Gooch injured her anterior cruciate ligament in November, her shot at competing at the 2019 Athletics Australia Championships looked in doubt.
Millie had already qualified for the national titles, but faced a tough recovery to prove her eligibility at the NSW Junior Championships in late February - let alone being fit for the main event next month.
'Don't give up'
For Maya Piras, next month's debut at the Athletics Australia Junior Championships has been a long time coming.
The 16-year-old is in her final year of Little Athletics, and was last year ranked as Australia's fastest female hurdler of her age.
But due to the disparate distances and hurdle heights across Little Athletics' state associations, she has never actually competed in her pet event at a national carnival.
Until now.
Twelve-year-old Ella Penman is also set to make her debut - in the under 14s division - in the 800m and 1500m events.
'I love going to the big races'
Lochie was prolific at the state tiles, qualifying in 1500 metres, 3000m and steeple chase after cleaning up with two gold medals and one silver.
The 15-year-old runs everyday but Friday, and is headed for his third Athletics Australia Championships.
"I've learned a lot," he admits. "I don't really know how to race properly, like tactics and being in a big group, because out here in Dubbo I'm basically by myself most of the time.
"But I love going to the big races to see whereabouts I'm at with the age group in that state."
And his advice for any aspiring athletes?
"Just giving your best and that's all that matters," he said.
"The hard work has been done and just go and have fun and give it your all and if it doesn't work out, you've got another race to bring it together.
"It's not the end of the world - we're only 15, 14, 13, so we've got plenty of time to master what we do."
Dubbo juniors Brooke Galley and Georgia Cudmore also had strong results at the NSW Championships, with both girls running in the final of their respective events.
Galley ran in the 400m final, while Cudmore managed a personal best in her 800m final.
