Brisbane Bullet schoolgirl Torrie Lewis faster than Sally Pearson

Blink and you might miss her. Meet the Brisbane Bullet schoolgirl who is the best Aussie female sprint prospect since the great Sally Pearson.

Record breaking schoolgirl sprinter Torrie Lewis is the Brisbane Bullet who has run herself into Commonwealth Games selection contention after eclipsing the great Sally Pearson’s junior 100m time.

Lewis, 17, runs the 100m in 11.33 seconds, and only three-time Olympic Games silver medallist Raelene Boyle (1968-82) has a faster 100m time by an under 20 female in Australian athletics history.

The St Peters Lutheran College student has even gone past the junior sprint times of Queensland Olympic hurdles champion Pearson.

St Peters Lutheran College student Torrie Lewis. Picture: Richard Walker

Asked what it feels like to have bettered Pearson’s junior sprint times and be within sight of Boyle, Lewis said: “When I hear that, it makes me feel like I am on track to come close or be as good as what they have achieved.

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“So is does give me some confidence and make me think that my confidence and preparation is on track.’’

In December Lewis took a staggering .24 seconds off her personal best to run 11.33 seconds (100m), and three weeks ago ran 11.18 wind assisted - but in heavy rain and with a stomach ache.

St Peters Lutheran College student Torrie Lewis - Picture: Richard Walker

“I mean the Australian record is 11.11 seconds and even wind assisted, it (her 11.18 seconds) puts it into perspective just how achievable it all is.’’

As a result Lewis will be a serious contender to be included in the Australian 4x100m relay team bound for the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in July-August.

If she made the Games’ relay team, it would be extra special for Scottish-born Lewis who migrated to Australia with her family aged six?

“They are in Edinburgh, and a lot of my family would be there and I would be running in front of them for the first time. That would be a big plus. The Comm Games are very special.’’

St Peters Lutheran College student Torrie Lewis. Picture: Richard Walker

However, Lewis would be just as happy to represent Australia at the world junior championships, also in July-August, where she is a medal chance.

“At the world juniors, I feel like I have an opportunity to at least make a final, so either one (world juniors or Commonwealth Games) would be great.’’

Australia’s current top 100m sprinters

Hana Basic (Victoria)

Ella Connolly (Queensland)

Riley Day (Queensland)

Bree Masters (Queensland)

Torrie Lewis (Queensland)

Celeste Mucci (Victoria)

Lewis’ coach Gerrard Keating, a former national junior and senior sprint champion, said he never thought he’d be coaching an athlete with such potential.

“Torrie certainly has the potential to make an Olympic final and if you make an Olympic final, anything can happen.’’