Sophie Howard and brothers James and Nicholas Hay capped off an outstanding summer period when they competed at the State Championships in Sydney.

The trip was memorable for Sophie, who qualified for the final in the 60-metre hurdles and the 200 metres.

On her way to the state carnival the 12-year-old won the hurdles at the regional championships in Wollongong, as well as recording a personal best time in the 200m.

Sophie believes Little Athletics is the ideal place to develop skills.

“I love training and competing, and the best parts about Little Athletics are the people you meet and the places you go,” Sophie said.

James, 12, rose to the occasion in the 1500-metre walk by registering a personal best of 10:01 without receiving any cautions, while he also took part in the shot put.

His 11-year-old sibling was in action in the shot put and discus, earning fourth position in both events.

Nicholas impressed with his best-ever throw of 11.22 metres in the shot put.

“Making the State Championships in two events was exciting,” Nicholas said.

Nicholas broke records at Lockhart, Temora, Kooringal, Wagga and the zone carnivals leading up the State Championships.

But being involved in Little Athletics is not all about winning, according to James.

“It’s good fun – we get to travel around a lot of places

and make new friends,” the Wagga High School student

said.