The PBC Track and Field was a great success with overall House points the closest they have been in years!  A picture perfect Gold Coast winter’s day was the perfect backdrop for some record breaking performances and record participation across events.  Students and teachers alike dressed proudly in their House colours, flooded the oval in a sea of colour.  The 3000m, 1500m, Hurdles, Javelin, Triple jump and Shot put were held early, with Will Mann (14 years boys) breaking the long standing triple jump record with a jump of 12.82m and Taira Price-Williams took out the senior girls javelin with a throw of 24.45m. Following the select pre-carnival events, the Athenians took a one point lead over the Phoenicians into the major carnival on Friday.

Along with many stand out individual performances, it was great to see the House age groups encouraging each other. Open Athenian girls were a highlight, leading the way in participation and points. Phoenicians 13 years girls and Spartans 16 years boys were also clear leaders in their age groups.

Students and Staff also had fun on the inflatables and rides throughout the day. The mechanical bull and climbing wall tested students balance and strength and Bubble soccer’s always a favourite. These extra activities allowed students to keep busy and spend time with friends in between representing their Houses in events.

The 100m finals were a genuine highlight of the day, an amazing display of speed across the age groups. This year we also ran the inaugural PBC Gift. The handicapped race saw the fastest male and female from each age group compete in a 100m staggered start sprint.  This truly was an amazing display from our sprinters, with under 12’s all the way through to opens competing in the event. A huge congratulations to all students who made it through to the Gift.

PBC Gift Females:

• Thewbelle Philp (U12)
• Evie Clarkson (U13)
• Olivia Hooper (U14)
• Lily McClure (U15)
• Ashlei Jones (U16)

PBC Gift Males:

• Fenner Lee (U12)
• Samuel Longobardi (U13)
• Will Mann (U14)
• Vincent Whatmough (U15)
• Levi Clarke (U16)
• Kyle Davis (Opens)

Olivia Hooper took a commanding lead early in the Gift and held on to win the female race. While the boys race ended in a photo finish with Vincent Whatmough pipped at the post by Sam Longobardi. The 2020 PBC Gift was a great spectacle and will no doubt be an event to look forward to each year.  It was also great to see the Hurdles added to the 2020 schedule, with this specialist event set to grow in the future.

It takes talent, skill, athleticism and versatility to become Age Champion at a Track and Field carnival. Congratulations to all of our Age Champions who competed fiercely over the week of events.  

2020 Age Champions:

• LilleyTeanor (12 Girls)
• Reave Gehling (12 Boys)
• Kaylee Booth (13 Girls)
• Zachariah Iliuk (13 Boys)
• Charlotte Hart (14 Girls)
• Hudson Kerr (14 Boys)
• Eva Pietraszkiewicz (15 Girls)
• Isaac Dixon (15 Boys)
• Ashlei Jones (16 Girls)
• Taiquin Hayes (16 boys)
• Savannah Sproule (Open Girls)
• Kai Meath (Open Boys)

Overall, the event was a great success and we are so glad that students had this opportunity, in such an unsettled year. Many thanks to all PBC staff who helped plan, set up, run and supervise the day. Congratulations to all of the students who attended and participated, you did your school and House proud. A huge congratulations to this year’s Champion House – The Athenians!!!

Overall Points:

• 1^st Athenians  - 1768 points
• 2^nd Phoenicians – 1692 points
• 3^rd Vikings – 1682 points
• 4^th Spartans – 1483 points