Angelina Tignani will defend her javelin crown at the national athletic titles starting in Cairns

Acacia Ridge resident Angelina Tignani will defend her javelin crown at the national athletic titles starting in Cairns on Friday.Tignani, an Algester Little Athletic Centre junior, is the under 15 national record holder.

St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School student Angelina Tignani is off to the nationals in Cairns this week.

Acacia Ridge resident Angelina Tignani will defend her javelin crown at the national athletic titles starting in Cairns on Friday.

Tignani, an Algester Little Athletic Centre junior, is the under 15 national record holder.

Tignani has produced three national record throws in the last 18 months but did not feel under pressure to do it again at the national titles in Cairns.

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While her focus is on the nationals, she has already set some goals for 2019 when she will enter year 9 at St Aidan’s.

Angelina Tignani, far right, was Junior Sportswoman of the Year at St Aidan’s. She is pictured with Australian schoolgirls hockey star Ruby Harris, far left.

“Next year I hope to break the Australian record for the 15s and 16s and then, when I am 16, try and make the Australian team for the worlds (junior championships),’’ she said.

Tignani was recently named junior sportswoman of the year at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School.

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St Aidan’s Director of Cross Country and Athletics, Lauren Murry, said after a stellar 2017 when she won multiple national titles she continued to work hard in 2018.

“Her hard work and dedication to the sport has continued to keep her in the spotlight as she went up an age division and implement weight this year,’’ Murry said.

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“She has a great support crew behind her and will continue to rise in the coming years.’’

Tignani, who was inspired by attending the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast earlier in the year, took on javelin aged 12.

“I used to be a runner, but started javelin when I was 12,’’ she said.

“I found it interesting. Running is pretty basic but when it gets to throwing it is a whole different concept.’’