The build-up to the recent NSW All Schools Championships was far from ideal but that didn't stop Dubbo Athletics Club stars from returning home with a swag of medals and personal bests.
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Like most sports, athletics was hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions with far less meets and training sessions compared to previous years.
That made the recent All Schools Championships something of an unknown but the Dubbo club still scored nine medals.
Grace Peters and Maya Piras both won gold, the former enjoying a stellar meet where she also won a silver and bronze.
Peters won gold in the 12 years' discus, throwing a personal best distance of 38.4m to earn top place on the podium while she also recorded personal bests when winning silver and bronze in the javelin and shot put respectively.
Piras continued her fine performances in the hurdles by winning gold in the 19 years' event in a time of 15.01 seconds.
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Ella Penman won silver and recorded a personal best in the 14 years' 800m while she also won silver in the 1500m, Jakob Peterson collected bronze in both the 13 years' 100m and long jump while there was also bronze for Lockie Townsend in the 17 years' 800m.
There was a number of other Dubbo athletes who competed at Homebush and achieved personal bests.
"It's great and great to see a nice sized group head to Sydney," Dubbo Athletics coach Mark Penman said.
"Sometimes it can be a bit daunting but it's good there was so many to support and encourage each other.
"It's been a funny old season but it's great they got a chance to compete again."
While extremely proud of all his athletes who took part, Penman made special mention of the two golden girls.
"Maya, that'a s great result and she's been a specialist hurdler for a few years now and that consistency is showing with these results," he said.
"Grace is going really well. She's done extremely well and got the full suite of medals, which will be nice to add to her collection."
In total, eight Dubbo-based athletes recorded personal bests at the meet.
As well as Peters and Ella Penman, Phoebie Ryan (13 year's 400m and 800m), Mia Penman (13 years' 800m and 1500m), Benray Ludick (13 years' discus), Ben Batten (15 years' discus), Hamish Price (16 years' 200m), and Millie Gooch (16 years' 100m hurdles) all achieved their best individual results while James Batten finished fifth in the 14 years' 400m.
While Christmas is fast approaching there will be little time for athletes to rest with carnivals to held in Dubbo and further afield early next year.
Penman hopes that, combined with easing of restrictions, and the upcoming Olympic Games will help create a real buzz at Barden Park.
"We had to put a cap on numbers (this season) because of COVID so there was a few who weren't able to come down and practice, which was a shame, but next year being an Olympic year hopefully the track gets some limelight and plenty of kids get down here," Penman said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
