Sydney Catholic Schools athletes have delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior Championships, held at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre from 15–20 April.
Competing against the nation’s top emerging talent, students secured multiple medals, set personal bests and, in two cases, qualified for the World Under 20 Championships.
Marnie Laurence from St Clare’s College, Waverley, was among the most versatile performers of the meet.
In the Under 15 division, she won gold in the long jump with a personal best of 5.68 metres, along with silver in the 100m (12.32 seconds) and bronze in both the 90m hurdles (12.80) and triple jump (11.69m PB).
She also contributed to silver medal finishes in the Under 16 4x100m and 4x200m relays, capping off an impressive all-round campaign.
Oliver Facer of Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield, claimed the Under 20 110m hurdles national title in a personal best time of 13.82 seconds.
At just 17, his performance secured qualification for the World Under 20 Championships in Oregon, USA, in August.
De La Salle Revesby alumnus Zavier Peacock also impressed, winning gold in the Under 20 200m final in 20.97 seconds and claiming silver in the 100m with a time of 10.35 seconds. Both results qualified him for the world championships.
Ruth Ifejika from All Saints Catholic College, Liverpool, recorded strong sprint results in the Under 17 division, winning bronze in the 100m (11.88 seconds) and silver in the 200m (24.33 seconds).
In middle-distance events, Jesse Baker of St John Bosco College, Engadine, claimed silver in the Under 14 1500m final with a personal best time of 4:24.77, adding to earlier national success this month.
Isaac Zreika from Trinity Catholic College, Auburn, won gold in the Under 15 800m in a personal best 1:58.40, narrowly missing the national record by 0.25 seconds, and followed it with silver in the 1500m (4:12).
The results highlight both individual talent and the strength of sporting pathways within Sydney Catholic Schools, with students representing their schools and communities with distinction across a range of disciplines.
