THE STATES TOP ATHLETES HONOURED AS LAUREL WREATHES ANNOUNCED

REVISED: 9 OCTOBER 2023

Athletics West is excited to announce the Laurel Wreath recipients for the 2023-24 Athletics West Season powered by Go For 2&5.

Awarded to WA’s top athletes in recognition of their national and international performances, this year’s recipients represent a sensational collection of world-class athletes including World Champion Nina Kennedy, two World Championship medallists, as well as seven World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championship representatives. WA’s future athletes were also recognised, with four members of Australia’s Commonwealth Youth Games team included in the class of 2023-24.

Following a spectacular gold medal and Australian record-breaking performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, as well as breaking her very own record only a week later, Nina Kennedy leads the pack following an awe-inspiring 2023 campaign. Kennedy’s momentum builds as she looks towards the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the world looking on closely given the UWA athlete now holds both the current Commonwealth Games and World Championship titles.

Rhiannon Clarke has been awarded number 2 after she delivered a standout 2023 season. Clarke claimed silver in the T38 400m final at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, as well as breaking two Australian records at the Championships. Before that, she ended her domestic season by becoming the first Australian open female athlete to win three gold medals at the National Championships where she claimed the Ambulant 100m, 200m and 400m titles.

The top three are rounded out by 2023 World Athletics Championship Bronze Medallist Kurtis Marschall. The WAIS pole vaulter enjoyed a breakout year on the international circuit and claimed his first major World Athletics medal with a huge clearance of 5.95m. Marschall became Australia's fifth World Championship medallist in pole vault and the first Australian male athlete to step up onto the podium since long jumper Fabrice Lapierre claimed a silver in 2015.

2023 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championship representatives Declan Tingay, Matthew Ramsden, Sarah Edmiston, Ella Pardy and Jackson Hamilton have been awarded the top eight positions. While Australian debutants Sinead Noonan and Charli-Rose Carlyon rounded out the top ten laurel wreaths.

The Laurel Wreath selection process allocated competition numbers based on Open International results, then Junior International results, followed by Open Australian records, then finally National Open results.

2023-24 Athletics West Laurel Wreath Recipients

The 2023-24 Athletics Summer Season powered by Go For 2&5 is HERE! We can’t wait to see WA's Little Athletes emulate the heroics of World Championship medallists Nina Kennedy and Kurtis Marschall, all while enjoying the fun, family and fitness vibes of their local centre. Plus, with a national event bound for Perth, it's going to be a huge season of athletics action in WA.

Whether you are looking for a new personal best, want to support your child's Little Athletics journey or are looking for the edge come next footy season, this summer 'Great Starts Here!'

GET STARTED

You can follow all athletics action via the Athletics West Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information on how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or via admin@athleticswest.com.au.

By Dylan Gane, Athletics West

Posted on 7 October 2023 (Revised 9 October 2023)