The Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre in Gwynneville was the stage for an extraordinary display of young talent as the 2025 Illawarra and Southern Highlands athletics zone championships concluded. Held over the weekend of November 29 and 30, the event saw a remarkable 29 championship records tumble across two days of intense competition.
Young Stars Rise to the Occasion
Athletes ranging from under-7s to under-20s flocked to the track and field, with several emerging as multiple record-breakers. One of the standout performers was nine-year-old Kai Levitski from Northern Illawarra, who achieved a stunning triple, claiming new marks in the 200m (29.70s), 400m (1:06.10), and 800m (2:33.63) events.
He was not alone in his dominance. Elsa Sandell of Wollongong City proved unstoppable in the girls' 14 years hurdles, setting new benchmarks in both the 300m hurdles (57.75s) and the 90m hurdles (15.18s). From Bowral, Milo Shepherdson showcased his middle-distance prowess by breaking the boys' 15 years 400m (54.46s) and 800m (2:04.96) records.
Distance Dominance and Field Event Feats
The record-breaking spree extended across all disciplines. Archie Galvin, a clubmate of Levitski at Northern Illawarra, swept the distance events for 13-year-old boys, establishing new records in the 800m (2:14.50), 1500m (4:31.77), and 3000m (10:11.15).
In a thrilling display of endurance, Bowral's Rory Shredden stole the show in the 16 years boys 3000m, powering to a sub-ten-minute finish with a time of 9:56.53. The field events also witnessed history, with Wollongong City's Imogene Anderson in the under-16s category claiming a discus record throw of 24.89 metres as part of a hugely successful campaign that included four gold medals.
A Celebration of Future Talent
The weekend carnival served as a powerful testament to the depth of junior athletic talent across the Illawarra and Southern Highlands region. The flurry of new records indicates not only the high calibre of current competitors but also a bright future for the sport locally.
With the zone championships now complete, attention turns to the next level of competition for these record-breaking youngsters. Their performances at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre have firmly set the benchmark for the seasons to come.
