A Fantastic Athletics Season!
What a fantastic championship season it has been for Scots Athletics! In April, after two weeks of high-stakes competition at the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney and the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships in Brisbane, Marcus Keyes (Year 12), James Vass (Year 12) and Mohamad Gadou (Year 10) truly left their mark on the national stage. The College’s Director of Athletics, Mr Andrew Matthews, takes us through their track achievements.
Marcus Keyes (Year 12) arrived in Brisbane battle-hardened after an incredible showing at the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships Senior Men’s Championships in Sydney. He proved he could mix it with the best open-age runners in the country, clocking a blistering 3:51.46 in the 1500m and 1:53.43 in the 800m.
In the Under 20 national championships, Marcus faced a gruelling schedule and a field of elite young talent. He fought hard in a tactical 1500m final, finishing 7th in Australia with a time of 3:54.43. His ability to back up his Senior-level performances with a top-10 national Junior finish cements his reputation as one of the most consistent and promising middle-distance runners in the country.
James Vass (Year 12) leaves the 2026 season as one of the fastest Juniors in the College’s history. At the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships Senior Men’s Championships in Sydney, he obliterated his personal best with a massive 10.60 in the 100m – placing him within striking distance of the world Junior qualification time of 10.50s.
He carried that speed into the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships Under 20 100m in Brisbane. In a field that included world Junior record holder Gout Gout, James showed incredible ability. After navigating the heats and semi-finals, he secured a place in the national final, finishing 8th in Australia with a time of 10.75. James also earned a well-deserved national gold medal as a key member of the NSW Under 20 4x100m relay team, which powered to victory in a slick 40.95.
We are also thrilled to celebrate the spectacular debut of Mohamad Gadou (Year 10), a new student at the College who has immediately made his presence felt on the national stage. Competing in the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships Under 16 category, Mohamad proved to be the dominant force of the championships, completing a historic sprint double.
Mohamad claimed the national title in the Under 16 100m, stopping the clock at a rapid 10.97 to secure gold. He wasn’t finished there, however, he returned to the track for the 200m, where he led a NSW 1–2 finish to claim his second national gold medal with a stunning new personal best of 21.84.
To arrive at the College and immediately secure two national titles is a breathtaking achievement. Mohamad’s dominance extended to the team events, where he anchored the NSW Relay Teams to even more glory. He added two more national gold medals to his collection in the 4x100m relay and the 4x200m relay. This incredible ‘clean sweep’ of four gold medals marks a truly historic debut for Mohamad, signalling the start of what promises to be an extraordinary career in the Scots colours.
The entire Scots community congratulates Marcus, James, and Mohamad. Your discipline and grit have set a new standard for Scots Athletics.
Andrew Matthews
Director of Athletics
James Vass wins bronze in the Men’s Under 20 100m at the 2026 NSW Athletics Championships in a heart-stopping photo finish, missing silver by just one ten-thousandth of a second.
Mohamad Gadou (Year 10) in action during the Under 16 category at the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships.
Mohamad Gadou celebrates securing gold in the Under 16 category at the 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships.
