Queensland school with Origin stars, Super W Rugby whiz now has Aussie athlete who dares to dream

It is the Queensland school which has three 2020 Origin heroes, a Super W Rugby whiz and a pending Olympian - and now has an elite Aussie athlete who dares to dream.

Elite Queensland athlete Lyvante Su’emai will use experience gained competing in the United States as a springboard to fulfilling her goal of representing Australia at the world junior championships and ultimately the Olympic Games.

Su’emai has been accepted into the University of California, Los Angeles where she aims to enhance herself both on and off the athletics track - once the COVID-19 crisis eases.

Su’emai, from Cameron Smith’s old school of Marsden SHS, is an elite discus, hammer throw and javelin exponent who is a certain selection in the Australian side bound for the 2021 world junior championships - COVID-19 pending.

As an under 20 athlete she is ranked Australia’s No.1 in discus and hammer, and No.2 in shot put.

But as an open athlete the teenager is ranked No.3 in Australia for discus, No.4 for hammer and No.5 for shot put, all lofty standings for a schoolgirl field athlete.

“Competing at the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics is definitely the goal,’’ Su’emai said.

“Quite frankly, I would love to have the opportunity to showcase everything I represent – family, community and culture – to the world.

“I want to leave my legacy somehow. Hopefully competing on the world-stage will be one of the outlets in which I achieve my goal.’’

Lyvante Su'emai representing Queensland. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

With a desire to proudly represent her Logan community and Polynesian heritage wherever she goes, she said “at first the idea of studying abroad was just fantasy’’.

“We (dad and I) were analysing throwing techniques from American athletes who were attending college. I guess the thought just popped up – what if that was me?

“Initially, I was more concerned on the athletic development and the idea of embarking on the amazing athletic opportunities provided,’’ said Su’emai, a Springwood Shark Little Athletics Club junior who is now coached by her father.

Lyvante Suemai at the 2019 Oceania Champs in Townsville, competing in under 18 shot put event.

“Selection for the world junior championships and future Olympics was the main goal, so I intended to use opportunities – such as enrolment into an American college – to further pursue my athletic goals.

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“However, throughout this year, I’d like to think I’ve matured.

“Quarantine (during the height of the COVID-19 crisis) allowed me to reflect on my academic aspirations which shifted my outlook on the opportunity to study abroad.

“Not only was I thrilled to develop my skills as a student-athlete, but also discover my academic and career interests.

Lyvante Su’emai of Marsden State High School represented Australia.

“I am also excited to navigate through young adulthood and develop personal identity within a challenging and unique setting.’’

Su’emai said schooling at Marsden SHS “helped me mature as a student-athlete’’.

“Hopefully the familiarity of education, sport, culture and the importance of community and family will support my transition into the UCLA school environment.’’

Lyvante' Su'emai as a child at Springwood Little Athletics

Su’emai is part of an extraordinary Marsden SHS sporting landscape which recently celebrated three past students - Brenko Lee, Jaydn Su’a and Corey Allan - helping Queensland to a series clinching State of Origin victory.

Earlier in the year the community also celebrated the success of Destiny Brill in Super W Rugby while past student Logan Martin was poised to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Last year another elite past student, ex-Firebirds premiership winner Hulita Veve, also captained Wildcats to the Queensland Netball Sapphire Series grand final win.