Isabella Harte creates Queensland athletics history by becoming youngest 3000m open winner

Schoolgirl Isabella Harte created Queensland athletics history last night when she became the first 14-year-old to win the state 3000m under 20 and open championship race.

Schoolgirl Isabella Harte created Queensland athletics history last night when she became the first 14-year-old to win the state 3000m under 20 and open championship race.

The St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School student also scorched to a 10 second personal best time at the Queensland State Athletics Centre, then 12 hours later was winning her category at the Queensland Tri Series held this morning in Calounda

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On Saturday night in athletics, Harte surpassed the previous effort by Karen Iselin around 48 years ago when Iselin won the same open event aged just 15.

Ironically Harte’s junior coach has been Iselin’s son, Andrew, at the Mayne Harriers club after being initially tutored by Karen when she was a child.

,Isabella Harte, middle, at today’s Queensland Tri Series at Calounda with .Lottie Nehill and Lani McWilliam.

Andrew Iselin said Harte’s performance was stunning because she was not in hard training.

Indeed she had enjoyed time away from the track to freshen up over the Christmas period following an enormous 2019 in which she became the national 1500m and 3000m champion in her age group.

Iselin said while Harte was an elite athlete, she did not live and breathe athletics which was healthy at this stage of her development.

A champion has eyes for the line as St Margaret's Isabella Harte, right, comes up on the inside as the finish line approaches at last year’s QGSSSA meet. PICTURE: Louis Moore.

“She does swimming for the school, touch for the school and has been doing a fun triathlon,’’ he said.

“She is not just running focused,’’ Iselin said. “It is a perfect balance.’’

Harte said she was humbled to break the record, particularly given her strong bond with the Iselin family.

Isabella Harte after winning the women 1500m under 15 national title last year. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“I was very pleased with my results at the 3000m championships,’’ the Queensland Community Newspapers Local Sports Star nominee in 2019 said.

“I ran a PB which was a great way to start off the season.

“I feel very humbled breaking Karen Iselin’s record as the youngest in the open category, especially because she coached me when I began running and then afterwards with her son Andrew.

“I cannot wait to see what this year brings.’’