Multi-talented sprinter's national success

COMMONWEALTH Games and Olympic prospect Txai Anglin is in elite company.

Westside Christian College athlete Txai Anglin has created school history by winning the recent under 15 national 400m championship in Sydney.

ATHLETICS: Commonwealth Games and Olympic prospect Txai Anglin is in elite company.

Not only is she the latest under 15 400m champion, she's added her name to the history books at Westside Christian College.

The sprint star clocked 56 seconds at the recent Australian Junior Championships in Sydney to become the nation's fastest female athlete in her age group.

With a goal to compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Olympics, Anglin is the second 400 metre national champion in Westside's recent history.

Competing against the strongest athletes in her age group, the 13-year-old student came from behind to win by a comfortable 10 metres in the 400m final.

Anglin recalls crouching down at the starting blocks with her eyes firmly fixed ahead and taking a breath.

"I felt good,'' she said.

"God had planned out what was ahead for me. All I needed to do was be thankful.”

In the space of 12 months, she has shaved more than 2.5 seconds off her time.

She puts it down to hard work and humility.

"Athletics helps me keep focussed,'' she said.

"My mum (or dad) drives me to training three-to-five nights a week.

"I don't think they could ever know how grateful I am.''

Like her hero Usain Bolt, Anglin is a born runner with a long stride.

The all-round talent carries on a proud Jamaican heritage of outstanding sprinters, with a dash of Australian flavour.

Coming around the bend at Homebush Olympic Stadium, her ears were suddenly filled with the sound of her family cheering.

"They were over the moon. The Anglin clan were screaming louder than anyone else,'' she said.

"My mum, dad and church community are my biggest supporters.''

During the athletics season, she can expect to compete at least once per week, training upwards of three times a week.

"Westside teachers have helped me stay on track and have been really flexible with me,'' she said.

Westside Christian College sports co-ordinator Lynda Williams couldn't be prouder of Txai's performance.

"To qualify for Nationals an athlete must run a qualifying time at state level first,” she said.

"If Txai can dominate at the upcoming States she may go on to be one of only 12 in her age group selected for the National Little Athletics championships.

"With her dedication and commitment, she will have a strong future in the sport.''

Txai's vision has not changed since she came to prominence last year.

"My dream is to compete for Australia in the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Olympics in 2024,'' the young athlete said.

When asked about her race plan, the nation's strongest finisher said: "That's one secret I can't give away.''

Whilst the star of the track, the humble Anglin is a team player at heart, playing saxophone in various College bands.

When she's not setting records, she pursues her other passion, musical theatre.

Anglin was invited to audition for the Sydney and Brisbane production of The Lion King and has performed alongside Christine Anu and Simon Bourke in Harvest Rain's recent performance of the hit musical, Hairspray.

And her name is pronounced "Chai'', like the drink.