Matilda shines in Opening Ceremony

By Jacquie Marshall

Oct 25, 2022

Mathoura Public School student Matilda Eddy reading the Competitors Oath at the Opening Ceremony of the NSW State Athletics Carnival.

Six Mathoura Public School students made the eight hour journey to Sydney last week to compete in the NSW State PSSA Athletics Championship.

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The state’s best athletes from both government and private schools converged on Sydney Olympic Park for two days of strong competition in track and field.

Mathoura Public School was extremely proud to have six students qualify to compete at this level, a huge number of participants for a small rural school.

The three Eddy Sisters, Matilda, Katelyn and Sophie, as well as Chanze Egan competed in track events on the first day of the carnival.

In fields of 40, Katelyn placed 14th in her 1500m race, and Matilda placed 20th in both her 1500m and 800m.

Chanze and Sophie both ran extremely well, achieving personal bests in their respective events.

On the second day of competition, the school’s mixed relay team consisting of Jobe Unwin, Georgie Taylor, Matilda Eddy and Chanze Egan blitzed their heat.

This qualified them for the semi-finals, where they placed second, progressing the team to the final.

In the final they ran their best race of the day, ending with an impressive fifth place which was only 0.56 of a second off a podium finish.

Adding to the experience, Matilda Eddy was selected by the Riverina officials to be involved in the Opening Ceremony.

She had the honour of reading out the Competitors’ Oath to the large audience consisting of competitors, spectators and officials.

Chanze, Katelyn and Sophie also had the privilege of taking part in the march during the Opening Ceremony.

Overall, the six Mathoura students thoroughly enjoyed their first state experience and very proudly represented their school, the Deniliquin District and the Riverina thorough- out the event.