The local athletes chalked up much to experience, and one came home a medalist.

Year 9 student Chloe Johnson competed in five events, but took the podium for the bronze in girls’ 15 years javelin, her event of choice.

“It was pretty tough up there; I was up with the top people,” Johnson said.

A band of friends, her mother, and long-distance support of Coach Lisa Watson who was hanging on the phone back home in Inverell, cheered Johnson from the sidelines.

The final throw was 34.28m, two metres under her personal best and 0.96m short of winning gold .

“We all threw around the same part. It was a very tight first, second and third,” Johnson said.

“First and second were tight by 6 centimetres.”

Johnson said her success made an impression on coach Watson.

“She screamed over the phone, she was really excited and happy for me,” she said.

“I felt pretty good standing up on the podium; it was pretty good,” she grinned.

Bethany Zanco-Hinds, 17, and Dominic Lazar, 16, both narrowly missed the podium, coming in fourth for their respective years in shot put. 

Macintyre hurdles and athletics star, Delungra’s River Melia had qualified for several events, but was hamstrung with a knee injury.

Coach Peter Burgess said Melia has been accepted to Newcastle’s Hunter Sports High School.

“We are very proud of his ongoing achievements and wish him all the best with this opportunity,” Burgess said.