Mikayla Webb, Kayce Hoani-Vincent shine at Track and Field Nationals

Sprinting sensation Mikayla Webb and pole vaulter Kayce Hoani-Vincent put Mackay on the map with impressive performances at the National Track and Field Championships.

Two of Mackay's brightest young stars have come home with some hardware after phenomenal performances at the weekends Track and Field nationals in Brisbane. Picture: Mackay Athletics

Thirteen of Mackay‘s best young athletes competed at the National Track and Field Championships in Brisbane, with two of them scoring bronze after exceptional performances.

Sprinting sensation Mikayla Webb and pole vaulter Kayce Hoani-Vincent now etch their names into the minds of national selectors approaching their final year as juniors.

Kayce Hoani-Vincent stands proud after her bronze medal in the women's under 17 Pole vault. Hoani-Vincent took home a medal in last years all schools nationals making this the second in the span of just four months. Picture: Mackay Athletics

Hoani-Vincent, who already secured a bronze medal at last year's' National All Schools Championships in Adelaide, once again proved her mettle by jumping to another with a 2.80m clearance in the women’s pole vault.

Although she finished just 75cm behind the gold medallist Jasmin Harding, Hoani-Vincent’s impressive performance made cemented her status as a leading jumper heading into the final stages of her junior athletic career.

Kayce Hoani-Vincent stands proud after her bronze medal in the women‘s under 17 Pole vault. Hoani-Vincent took home a medal in last years all schools nationals making this the second in the span of just four months. Picture: Mackay Athletics

Webb, on the other hand, had to wait until the final hours of the four-day competition to claim an individual medal, after running the final leg for the women's under 18 4x100m relay team to secure bronze the night before.

Heading into the heat's on Sunday morning, Webb showed her potential by cruising past her competition and stopping the watch at just over 12 seconds, which made her one of the ones to watch heading into the final.

Going up against some of the best sprinters in the country, Webb gave it her all, storming home across the final 25 meters to edge out her competition and finish just outside her personal best with a 12.11 second effort.

The race couldn't have been any closer, missing the silver by six thousandths of a second, and beating out fourth by just three tenths, which, in a non-generic unit of measurement, is the separation of an eyelash.

Both Hoani-Vincent and Webb have proven themselves to be key stars in the next generation of sporting talent in Mackay.

Mikayla Webb has been one of the best young names in sprinting for much of her junior career, and after capping off her under 17 campaign with a bronze at the recent nationals looks poised to continue her streak among the nations best. Picture: Mackay Athletics

With the Oceanic games and nationals later in the 2023 calendar, these young athletes will be looking to capitalise on their recent success and continue to make a name for themselves on the national and international stage.