Pole vaulter Nickolai Simmons ready to wear the green and gold at the 2018 Melanesian Championships
Youngster Nickolai Simmons set to represent Australia in pole vault
Local Sports Stars
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Two and a half years ago, Nickolai Simmons watched a video of professional pole-vaulter Allison Stokke talking about the “rush” of the sport.
Now the 17-year-old from Baulkham Hills is set to represent Australia in pole vaulting at the 2018 Melanesian Championships.
“The Melanesian championships will be my first international competition so I’m not exactly sure what to expect,” Nickolai said.
“I’m hoping to at least get a personal best. But what I can definitely expect is that I will be giving it my all.”
Nickolai qualified for the tournament after claiming gold at the Australian Athletics Championships in March.
“At first it didn’t seem real, I wasn’t expecting to get gold,” Nickolai said. “But when reality set in, it was an awesome feeling to think that I was first in Australia.”
Nickolai is the latest nominee for the Hills Shire Times Local Sports Stars award, which is on until August 31. Prizes will be awarded to athletes aged 18 and under across four categories: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual and Young Sporting Spirit Team. There is also a Service To Sport category.
Details: localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal