The Armidale School's Samuel Jones has wrapped up his school athletics career in fine style with two podium finishes at the Athletic Association of Great Public Schools Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre.
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The TAS captain of athletics, from Gunnedah, finished third in the Open 800m in 1min 59:63sec, and also took bronze in the Open 1500m (4:17:25) - replicating his result in the same event at last year's championships.
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It was the sixth year Jonesm James O'Brien (Gunnedah) and Remy Taylor (Armidale) competed for TAS at the championships.
"I was really stoked with how I performed," Jones said.
"You have to be more strategic as you get older, and it's not just about who is the fastest."
Jones has also competed at the Australian Junior Athletics, the NSW All Schools and the Combined Independent Schools championships.
Other TAS performances of note at the AAGPS Championships included Nick O'Neil, who was fourth in the under-17 100m and fifth in the 200m.
Joe Kermode set a personal best in finishing seventh in the under-17 400m, while Toby Hall carved 30 seconds off his PB in the open 3000m.
TAS said the results reflected a commitment from a small but dedicated team despite challenges caused by COVID, including the cancellation of the school's athletics carnival.
Jones said: "We really wanted to be competitive - and I was just so happy for everyone. It was a great way to finish things off."
TAS athletics coordinator Mr Jim Pennington was also the championships convenor.
He said: "It was a terrific result given the various changes to the event in the wake of COVID - not least it being held at a different time of the year and other restrictions which meant some of the athletes racing up an age division."
TAS' athletes, he said, "were tremendous in responding to their coach Michael Keenan".
"And Sam [Jones] was a terrific captain who led by example - they should all be very proud of their performances."
