Four rising stars from the Kooringal-Wagga Athletics Club are set to represent NSW at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships next month after strong efforts at state juniors.
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Gerard Okerenyang won gold in the under 17 boys hammer throw. His 44.63m throw was a personal best since going up to the heavier five-kilogram hammer.
He also took bronze in the discus with a 48.70m effort, a massive three-metre personal best.
"I'm pretty keen (for nationals)," Okerenyang said, but is still working on his technique with coach Bob Hay.
"I hope I can be up there but I'm still on one spin. Hopefully I can start to get three or four turns before I compete at nationals."
He was fourth in the shot put but has thrown a 14.80m qualifier at a recent Canberra meet to ensure he's in all three events.
Younger brother Daniel is making his name, claiming gold in the under 14 boys triple jump after removing the plaster from a broken hand the day before competition.
His 11.24m effort was 52cm further than his nearest rival, although shy of his personal best at the recent Little Athletics regional carnival in Shellharbour.
Reigning national champion Kippy Langat took silver in the under 17 boys triple jump (12.79m). He's hoping to break 14 metres at the national juniors and claim another Australian title.
Langat was also fourth in the long jump with a 6.13m effort. The winner recorded 6.50m.
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Charlotte Priest won her timed heat in the under 15 girls 800m, in a personal best time of 2:23.86. Leading for the last lap-and-a-half, she was three seconds clear of the runner-up and under the required qualifying time for nationals.
"I was very happy. I didn't expect it because I haven't gone under 2.24 before," Priest said.
There was no final in the 800m, just two timed heats. The other heat was quicker, with the first three placegetters under Priest's time.
But she's excited at the chance to improve when she represents NSW in athletics for the first time.
The national juniors will be held in conjunction with the Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney from March 21-29.
Star sprinter and jumper Godfrey Okerenyang is still recovering from a hamstring injury. He took part in the under 20 men's javelin purely to fulfil the eligibility requirement of competing at the NSW carnival.
He hopes to make national juniors his first serious competition back having already met qualifying standards.
