Australian Track & Field Championships - Championship Wrap-Up

The 2021 National Track and Field Championships was one of South Australia's most impressive championships in recent years, with many across the country now turning their attention to the heaps good state. See the final wrap for the Championships.

A pathway to success

Team SA, it's time to take a bow. After a swag of medals, personal bests and new state and national records, the 185-strong state team is home from the Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney and eyeing off new challenges and opportunities.

With one of our largest-ever teams, the performances of Team SA has set the State on the pathway to further success, particularly toward 2024, reflecting the impact of initiatives that include pathway programs, inclusion programs, athlete support programs, and club partnerships.

From the moment hammer thrower Jett Carlin claimed the State's first gold medal at the nationals, it was obvious Team SA meant business.

With an upset gold in men's pole vault, our emerging strength in sprints, a powerful display in throws and credible performances in jumps, the record-breaking SA team gained considerable accolades from other states.

Athletics SA Chief Executive Officer Shane Fuller was full of praise for the team, saying it "really stepped up to the plate".

"This really demonstrates we are on a good path, something acknowledged by other states and Athletics Australia.

"But it was also about the team behind the team, those providing services that underpin and support athletes - like the coaches, physios, strength and conditioning, welfare and sports psychology, aspects that help create an overall positive training environment.

"It's the network, the ethos, the philosophy," Fuller said, referring to the cohesion of the team, and the behaviour, application and sportsmanship of the athletes.

"What's really pleasing is the success we had across a range of disciplines - middle distance, sprints and relays, throws, walks, jumps, pole vault.

"We talk about the medals, but there were so many PB's they were hard to keep track of in both men's and women's competition. Then there were national and many state records broken as well.

"Athletics is growing in SA. We had 20 additional athletes in this year's State team, up about 10 per cent. And we had about a 15 per cent increase in the State titles, with 583 entrants.

"Overall, track and field club membership is up. This is such a great springboard.

"Our trajectory is on the right path, even during these times of Covid.

"Athletics is an ideal physical distancing sport. It's safe. It's great for mental health."

There are 101 stories that can be highlighted from the Nationals. From thrower Darcy Miller's 5.30am cold shower to get ready for an early morning gold medal discus throw, Jack Downey's victory in the men's open pole vault when the favourite failed to clear, Angus Hinksman's hot chilli crisps bet with his coach prior to his national record run, how Down Syndrome athlete Hugo Taheny won the hearts of the crowd, Keira Post's medal haul that defied a bruised and swollen ankle and Adam Goddard's "cracking" silver medal in the Under 20 men's 3000m.

But there's one story that helps typify the team, one that grabbed the attention of many officials.

Young pole vaulter Orlanzo Bernhardt was competing in the Under 16 men's pole vault in which he claimed silver.

As he was warming up, and throughout the competition, he approached officials and his competitors, thanked them all and congratulated each of them on their contribution to the nationals.

So stunned with the gesture, and display of sportsmanship, they ran up to the SA team management after the event had finished and praised Orlanzo wishing to offer recognition for his conduct to his team.

"This was a great reflection on all our athletes and typified the extraordinary behaviour and team spirit," Fuller said.

For the record, South Australia claimed 20 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze at the Australian Championships for a total of 52 medals.

For the record, 35 able-body men's and women's State records have been broken over the 2020-21 summer season - including those superseded by later records. Twenty-three State Para records have also fallen, including some superseded by later records. Some further possible records are yet to be ratified.

Written by Andrew Holman