12-year-old Illawarra sprinter breaks 31-year state record
Harlow Pate set a new NSW under-12 200m record of 24.29s, breaking a mark that stood for 31 years.
The 12-year-old from Wilton won three events at the NSW PSSA State Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. Harlow Pate set a state record in the 100m (12.04s), shattered a 31-year-old 200m record with 24.29s, and won the long jump with 5.33m.
Harlow has broken multiple records across her primary school years, holding four out of five NSW 100m records. Harlow Pate now heads to the School Sport Australia National Athletics Championships in Melbourne at the end of November, where she will defend her 100m, 200m and relay titles from the past two years.
She trains under coach Jacinta Doyle and also competes in touch football.
- 12 years old
- Age
- 24.29 seconds
- 200m record time
- 31 years old
- Previous record age
- 4 out of 5
- 100m records held
Why it mattersHarlow's story shows what early dedication and smart coaching can achieve, and she is giving junior athletes in regional NSW a proven path to national competition.
AustraliaShe represents Illawarra and NSW on the national stage, inspiring young runners across regional Australia and showing that world-class young talent can emerge from regional communities.
