Athletics: Tamworth athletes impress at Region 1 State Qualifying carnival

Competing in their first major carnival since the regional championships almost 12 months ago, with the state championships cancelled on the eve of the meet, the Tamworth contingent produced some fantastic performances with a number either running, throwing or jumping their way to the state carnival.

"The Tamworth crew went really well, we've got a lot of kids going through," club coach Adam Jolliffe said.

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Nineteen qualified from the weekend.

Around 200 under-9s to under-12s athletes from across the New England, Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers took to the Tamworth Regional Athletics Centre with the top two placegetters automatically advancing to the state titles.

After the remainder of the qualifying meets are held the next best eight for each event will join them, which could see Tamworth's representation further increase.

The championships will be split, with the under-9s to under-12s on March 20-21 and the under-13s to under-17s hitting the track the following weekend.

They won't have a qualifying carnival. As Jolliffe explained those that achieve the minimum qualifying standards will all go into a pool with the top 24 going through to compete.

There were some slick times run over the weekend with several regional records, and even a state record, broken.

Tamworth athletes were among the record breakers.

Isabel O'Connell was one of the stars of the meet etching her name in the record books in the under-11s girls 400m, 800m and 1500m.

Dakota Ferguson meanwhile broke the regional record in the under-9s 800m while Matilda Lace also ran under the record in finishing second to O'Connell in the 400m.

Imogen McKenzie was another to impress, qualifying for the 800m, 1500m, 1500m race walk and discus. She was also, along with O'Connell, Ferguson and Mia McMillan part of the junior girls relay team that won gold.