Tasmania has finished the School Sports Australia track and field championships in the best possible way.
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In what was a gusty come-from-behind run, the state’s 12-year girls pinched gold in the medley relay on Monday.
Lila Phillips (200m), Chelsea Scolyer (200m), Kayedel Smith (100m) and Bianca Taglieri (300m) all set a new meet record time of 1:48.79.
The Tasmanians finished the first leg of the combined 800m distance at the back of the pack, but steadily moved up to fourth heading into Smith’s sprint in the straight.
By the time Taglieri took the last baton, Tassie was neck and neck for the lead before storming through and putting 10 metres on the line.
Hobart student Harrison McLeod also took a second bronze in Melbourne at the national primary schools’ meet for top-age athletes.
The talented 12-year-old from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School leaped into medal contention again with a jump of 5.35m.
Tasmania finished with a haul of two gold, three silver and two bronze in three days.
State team manager Dominic Anastasio said success at the championships was not measured by just medals.
But he was quick to admit those accomplishments had exceeded high expectations.
“We’re really excited by the performance of the athletes at the meet,” Anastasio said.
“I do think the number of medals given the size of our team compared to all of the larger states and compared to previous performances has been just exceptional.
“But I guess the focus for the Tassie team does go beyond the medals, just from general conversation between myself, other managers and the athletes.
“The amount of personal bests achieved have been absolutely outstanding – from athletes that have competed at this meet before through to our 10-year-olds that are new on a national level.”
We’re really excited by the performance of the athletes at the meet
- State team manager Dominic Anastasio