Curlewis siblings Joshua and Sam Jones’ sporting pursuits will see The Armidale School students compete in top level competition over 2000m in two very different sports and at two very different Olympic venues. 

On Wednesday night, Sam finished 10th in the under-17s 2000m steeplechase at the the Australian Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. 

Only his second ever steeplechase, an event which includes five jumps and a water pit, he qualified for the nationals by placing third at the NSW All Schools Championships last October in a time of 6mins. 35:44secs.

He improved a position on that, being the second NSW competitor to finish, and cut over a second off his All Schools time, clocking 6mins 34.01secs.

“I’ve been working with my coach Jay Stone who sets up a 200m course with two jumps, the second one followed by the long-jump pit to simulate the water of the steeplechase,” Sam said leading in.

“It’s about managing your leap to try to land on the ramp coming out of the water pit. I’m a bit nervous but also pretty excited about running again there.”

On Saturday elder brother Joshua will row with TAS’s First IV at the GPS Head of the River at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith.

The rookie of his crew having taken up the sport just last October, he feels confident they will be competitive, and stand a good chance of a podium finish.

“I’ve heard so much from the other boys about the atmosphere with thousands of people attending and am just so looking forward to being part of it,” he said.

The boys’ parents Nicola and Jeremy said while it will be a challenge for them to see both boys compete they will be doing their best.

“We hope both boys are able achieve great results at these events but above all we are just wrapped to see the enjoyment they get from being involved,” Nicola said.

“Josh is really enjoying rowing in much the same way as rugby and thrives in a team environment.”

“Sam is a very focused individual sportsman but also enjoys being part of a team. We’re very grateful for the support the boys receive at TAS an in particular from their boarding Head of House and athletics coordinator James Pennington who is a great mentor to them on and off the sporting arena.”