Part Two: Breaking down the Gold Coast’s top school athletes of 2022
There have been some truly outstanding performances by young Gold Coast athletes throughout the year; for club, school, state and country. Meet some of the best from 2022 in part two of our series here >>
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There have been some truly outstanding performances by young Gold Coast athletes throughout the year; for club, school, state and country.
We put it to our schools on the Glitter Strip to identify who shone brightest in 2022 and proudly flew their alma maters’ flag.
Part two of our ‘Best School Athletes of 2022’ series casts an eye over the stars coming out of Helensvale State High School, Keebra Park and Emmanuel College. Among the list are some serious names to watch — the likes of which include the son of a legend, a current AFLW star and soon to be sensations of the NRL and NRLW.
HELENSVALE STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Billy Dowling — Golf
Could this be Australia’s next star of the green?
Billy Dowling has compiled an impressive junior resume, with the young golfer playing off a handicap of +5.
Already with two professional tournaments to his credit — the Queensland Open in 2021 and the Queensland PGA this year — Dowling has been brought into the state junior team on the back of taking out the QLD Junior Order of Merit last year.
This year, he has won the South Australian Junior Amateur tournament, came fourth at the Australian Junior Amateur and 11th at the Australian Amateur (open), giving him a ranking of 3rd on the Australian Junior Order of Merit.
He also played at the IMG Junior World Championships at the Torrey Pines Course in San Diego, finishing in 11th place.
Dowling has been face-to-face with Australian superstar Cam Smith, who flew him to Florida and received a scholarship from the golfing sensation.
One to watch with a bright future ahead.
Deja Waitere Patterson — Netball
Unassuming at times but no less lethal on the court, netball phenom Deja Waitere Patterson is charting her path to the top.
The tall and rangy circle defender had a breakout campaign in 2022, earning selection for the Bond University Bullsharks under-16s state titles side in the process.
At school level Waitere Patterson was named player of the grand final in the Secondary Schools Indoor Netball tournament, and was a member of the Helensvale Vicki Wilson Cup outfit.
A Northern Gold Coast representative, she has been lauded for her ability to influence the outcome of matches through her sheer tenacity, aerial exploits and anticipation for when her moment to strike beckons.
Ngahuia Te Rure — Netball
Helensvale teachers have labelled Ngahuia Te Rure “one of the most promising prospects” the school has produced since Sunshine Coast Lightning star Reilley Batcheldor.
The netball sensation has been praised for her strong and incredibly accurate shooting game, coming from a range of positions in the goal circle.
Te Rure dominated the secondary school indoor competition single-handedly this year. She was an instrumental member of the Helensvale SHS Senior Vicki Wilson Cup Side.
On the back of those efforts, Te Rure was selected in the Queensland Under-17s squad for a second time, and is closing in on selection for Darwin’s National Championships next year.
A Ruby Series squad member for the Brisbane Wildcats, Te Rure has also featured prominently in junior representative programs such as South Coast and Queensland Schoolgirls.
Grace Cooper — AFL & Track and Field
Whether it be on the track or with a Sherrin in hand, Grace Cooper found a way in 2022 to excel.
Despite only just finishing Year 7, Hooper has been a regular name announced among her school’s top three athletes from each of their AFL Schools Cup games.
A “natural athlete with a big engine and hunger to win”, Cooper played across the ground frequently and went on to be named as the Gold Coast Suns Under-13 Girls Rising Star.
On the athletics scene, she may be a new force but is already drawing plaudits from her coaches.
Most days they see Cooper in the gym or down at the track in the morning in an effort to constantly improve herself, which resulted in a second-place finish in the hammer throw at the Queensland Track and Field school championships.
Those efforts garnered a place at the National Championships in Adelaide.
She also placed 4th in 400m and 6th in discus.
Max Masters — Aussie rules
There is more to Max Masters than simply his strength as an inside midfielder. It is the leadership qualities the teenager already possesses whenever he takes the field.
Masters has earned praise for his “exceptionally clean hands and excellent decision making skills”, but his character was also enough to be named as co-captain of the Queensland Under-17s side.
His teachers have said he “leads from the front and gives confidence to teammates around him”, putting the collective pursuits of his teams ahead of individual glory.
Masters also trained with the Under 18 Allies squad as an under ager, and has also been playing senior football with Broadbeach in the QAFL this year.
Zak Boyd — Football & Futsal
The kid simply lives and breathes football.
Zak Boyd may not be tall in stature but he plays like a youngster far larger, courtesy of a natural grit, determination and skill that comes to the fore whenever he takes the field.
In 2022, Boyd played for the Brisbane Roar’s under-13s side, as well as the Crusaders in the same division and in the under-14s.
He is the Helensvale SHS Junior Boys Football Captain and earned representative selection for South Coast School Sport in the 14 Boys Futsal side.
Zara Boyd — Football & Futsal
Zara Boyd is “a force to be reckoned with on the football pitch”.
With a take no prisoners attitude, the young gun has garnered recognition from the way in which she excels in setting the example for others with her strong skill set and mindset.
This year, she played for the Gold Coast United FC 16 Girls side and played for the Crusaders in the Women’s F-League.
Boyd is the current Helensvale SHS Junior Girls Football Captain and has earned South Coast School Sport 13-15yr Girls representation in Football.
Samuel Gould — AWD Swimming, Track & Field and Cross Country
It seems inevitable that at some point Samuel Gould may have to make a choice over which sport he pursues, given his abilities in the pool, track and field.
A cross country star in the making, Gould represented South Coast in the Queensland School Sport Track and Field titles as well, winning six medals in the process.
These feats included gold in the 800m, 4 x 100m relay and 1500m, silver in the 100m and 200m and bronze in long jump.
Despite these impressive achievements, it is swimming where Gould is said to really shine.
At the National School Swimming Championships, he won seven gold medals in the 200m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and the 4 x 50m medley relay.
He also won silver in the mixed 4x50m relay 50m breaststroke as well as a bronze in the 50m butterfly.
The Olympics are calling.
KEEBRA PARK STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Tavarna Papalii — Rugby League
A member of the first ever Australian Schoolgirls side to take on Fiji, Tavarna Papalii has future NRLW star written all over her.
Not only did she star on the field, but the youngster even captained the side, cementing herself a place in history and women’s rugby league folklore.
But the talented utility — who played at fullback for Queensland City, the halves and even lock for the Titans Schools League side — is not limited to the 13-woman code, taking on the All Schools Rugby 7s competition as well.
Ebony Raftstrand-Smith — Rugby League
Another inaugural member of the Australian Schoolgirls side and a young woman tipped for NRLW honours sooner rather than later.
Ebony Raftstrand-Smith comes from great rugby league stock, with her sister Tiana already a member of the Gold Coast Titans squad.
The flying winger scored three tries for Queensland in their schoolgirls State of Origin triumph and now appears destined to follow in her sister’s footsteps towards the senior Maroons set up.
Jaida Faleono — Rugby 7s
She is still relatively new to rugby union and rugby 7s, but Jaida Faleono has already set about paving her way to the top of the respective codes.
Her accolades speak for themself — earning selections in the U18 Youth Super W Reds XVs team, U16 Australian Schools Girls Merit team, U16 QLD Schools 7s, U17 QLD Next Gen team, QAS Emerging Youth Program, Gold Coast U17 Cyclones.
This year was Faleono’s first in the 15-a-side game, yet she now has a piece of silverware to her credit having helped Bond University lift the Brisbane Premier Rugby trophy.
Also a member of the Titans rugby league academy pathways, a dilemma could be on her hands as to which way she chooses to take.
PJ Poutasi — Rugby Union
While rugby league may be his greatest passion, a code hop to rugby union could well be on the cards for PJ Poutasi.
The Langer Trophy team member originally began playing the 15-man code for fun, however he was so highly thought of that he was brought into the Australian Schoolboys side.
“He’s suffered a fair bit of tragedy, losing family members to things like suicide and tragic accidents, and one of his best mate’s was murdered in the city. He’s had six close people to him pass on,” Poutasi’s father Phillip said upon his son’s national selection.
“For any kid, regardless of whether he’s my son or not, to go through that and keep pushing himself is remarkable.
“League is his passion, but I think he’s the type of kid to not close doors and keep his options open.”
Chantay Kiria-Ratu — Rugby League
Too young to represent the Titans, but that did not stop Chantay Kiria-Ratu from entering the NRLW fold.
The teenage halfback got a taste of the elite level by being brought into the club’s set up in preparation for her inevitable ascent to the top.
As she awaited her chance, Kiria-Ratu headed to England having been selected in the Cook Island’s World Cup squad, with coach Rusty Matua suggestion pre-tournament she would be the secret weapon of the line up.
While on debut she was on the receiving end of a 74-0 hammering by Australia, the experience of taking on women’s rugby league legend Ali Brigginshaw and soon-to-be Gold Coast teammates Evania Pelite and Shannon Mato will no doubt hold her in great stead to be a force of the game moving forward.
Arama Hau — Rugby League
An NRL debut does not appear to be too far off for Arama Hau.
The Keebra Park Langer Trophy captain has come straight out of high school and into the Gold Coast Titans squad to continue his development.
A powerful forward with the ball playing abilities to rival many halves of his age, Hau went on to earn selection in the Australian Schoolboys side.
A leader with his actions, Hau took his side deep into the Langer Trophy and has high praise of what his future in the game holds.
EMMANUEL COLLEGE
Jasmyn Smith — Aussie rules
She has only just graduated, but already Jasmyn Smith has entered the AFLW’s ranks with a huge future ahead.
The talented forward made her debut for the Gold Coast Suns this year; finishing with four matches and 6.8 disposals a game.
While she is still chasing an elusive first goal at the elite level, Smith has plenty of plaudits already behind her and is a true leader for someone so young.
This year she also captained the Suns U18s side, finishing as the Best and Fairest runner up across the league.
Jorja Gunther — Gymnastics
Another young gun who could soon find herself among the best on the Olympic stage.
Jorja Gunter is already a gymnastics champion, having finished the Australian Level 10 All-Round Individual champion.
She ended 2022 as the leading athlete of her division on the bars, floor and vault.
Jordan Billing — Basketball
Put a ball in her hands and get her on the court, and Jordan Billing is quick to showcase why she has the makings of a future Opal.
The basketball phenom was chosen in both the Queensland schools and club sides this year; teams which took out third and second in their respective competitions.
It was not just local pundits who appreciated her gifts, as Billing earned a scouting trip to America where she played in tournaments in Texas and Chicago.
Braden Cope — Swimming
2022 was all about making a splash for Braden Cope, and he did just that while flying the Emmanuel flag.
The freestyle sensation finished the year as the Queensland schools champion in the 50m, while he also hit the podium by winning a silver medal at the National Age championships.
The Gold Coast has had a history of young swimmers moving on to Commonwealth Games and Olympics success, and Cope appears on track to join that list of stars.
Luca Free — Rowing
Thus far it has been a case of like father like son for Luca Free.
Free comes from great rowing stock, given his dad Duncan won Olympic gold in Beijing as well as a bronze medal in Atlanta.
For the younger Free, he finished atop of the podium himself in claiming the Queensland year 10 singles mantle at the state’s Schools Championship Regatta.
Could there be another Olympian in the family? Time will tell, but he appears well on track.
Jett Gibson — Wake Boarding
A menace in the water with championship qualities seeping out of him.
Jett Gibson has already grown accustom to globe trotting in his sport, finishing 7th at the World Wakeboard Championships in America this year while adding a second place in another international event.
Following such endeavours, Gibson went on to be selected in the Australian side to compete at the Oceania Wakeboarding Championships last month.
Millie Komulainen — Golf
The world stage beckons for Mille Komulainen, having established herself among the upper echelon of the nation's golfing talents.
Komulainen finished second in the two biggest junior golf events in Australia this year — the Australian Junior Championships and the Jack Newton Sub Junior.
Those efforts took her to California in the middle of the year to take part in the World Junior Championships, where she finished 34th in another telling boost of experience ahead of what is hoped to be a long career at the top.
Joseph Button — Water Polo
He may still just be a teenager, but Joseph Button is already mixing it with the best senior water polo players in the country.
A frequent member of Queensland sides throughout his junior career, Button has since been moved into the Australian cadet squad in a sign of things selectors and pundits expect from the young talent.
With Burton at the helm, the Queensland clubs team went on to claim a silver medal at the national championships in addition to his exploits with the Brisbane Barracudas.
Ashanti Heap and Sam McCure — Athletics
This pair have added a whole new meaning to walking the walk.
Both Ashanti Heap and Sam McCure finished the year as the Queensland Race Walking champions for both school and club levels.
Heap in addition took part in her school’s volleyball and touch football sides.
Joshua Osborne — Athletics
He has conquered the nation, and now the globe awaits Joshua Osborne.
Osborne finished 2022 as the Australian Multi Event Champion in athletics, claiming six medals at the Queensland Schools Athletics Championships in the process.
The 15-year-old goes from strength to strength, finishing second in the Jai Taurima Shield in October.
Given Osborne, at such a young age, still has plenty of developing to do his best is yet to come, so do not be surprised to see him donning Australian colours on the biggest stages in the world in the years to come.
Lilli-Ava Ioane — Touch Football
Yet to hit her teenage years but already a leader in the making.
Lilli-Ava Ioane took her touch football talents to the national stage where she captained the Queensland 12 years and under schools side to the Australian championship.
The speedy middle has also represented the Gold Coast, South Coast, Hinterland and South Queensland Sharks in her blossoming career to date.
Taiki Takizawa — Tennis
Could Australia’s next tennis champion be right here on the Gold Coast?
Taiki Takizawa finished the year as the Australian 12 years and under champion on the court, while she also captained the Queensland team in 2022.
having first picked up the racquet when he was just four, Takizawa thrives in competition and for someone so young is equipped with a fierce determination to better himself with each outing.
A left hander who strives to emulate his idol, Rafael Nadal, continued work could take him to the same point and prestige as the Spanish legend.
Part One: Meet the Gold Coast’s top school athletes of 2022
— December 1
Here we delve into part one of our Best School Athletes of 2022 series — analysing the efforts of Palm Beach Currumbin, Pacific Pines State High School and St Michael’s College’s finest sport stars.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN
Sienna Bush — Athletics
An extremely talented runner across Cross Country, Track and Beach. Sienna Bush was praised by her school’s sport staff for the commitment she puts in away from competitions in order to attain her goals.
This year alone; in April she won the national 800m track event in Sydney before following it up with an August National Cross Country triumph in Adelaide.
Plenty of medals have been earned by the teenager at both state and national levels, including success in beach sprints, swimming and board paddling throughout her surf sports career.
Charlotte Hart — Multiple Sports
A very talented all rounder who is coming off her best year of sporting success.
Charlotte Hart’s success started at the Aussie Surf Lifesaving event in April, when she came away with four medals; claiming an individual win in the beach run, along with 5th in the U17 Iron final.
This was followed up with the National Cross Country Championships where she ran in tough, muddy conditions and finished with a silver medal, fending off another 16 competitors in the race.
To top off the year, Hart managed a bronze medal in the National Triathlon in Hervey Bay.
PBC staff praised the youngster as an extremely tough athlete who is prepared to give everything to reach the very top in her sport.
Thewbelle Philp — Sprinting
She is known as “The whippet of sprinting at PBC” — fast, light and technically perfect.
Thewbelle Philp was a medallist in the 200m at the National track and field event in Sydney this year and just missed out of the medals in the 100m.
Her school has lauded her as “an absolutely delightful young lady with so much potential in this sport”.
Even in her junior years, Philp has been consistently in the top five athletes in her age group across the country regularly.
Jed Walter – Aussie rules
His 2022 season has been elite with selection as the centre half forward in U18 All
Australian Team after the completion of the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships.
Now Jed Walter’s future in the AFL is getting ever nearer.
The Palm Beach Currumbin product is on the cusp of earning draft selection next year, having been brought into the National Academy squad for closer monitoring.
His athletic frame, running power and attack on the football both in the ground and the air makes him a hot prospect in next year’s AFL draft where he is touted as a top 10 selection. Unsurprisingly, he was then awarded the Best on Ground in the State Q-Cup Schools Grand Final.
Sierrah Dawson — Touch Football
Sierrah Dawson has been lauded one of the best touch footballers to ever attend Palm Beach Currumbin State High.
She is extremely skilful, with a game changing long ball, a dynamic step and a very dangerous low dive.
She is also an elite defender, getting into great body position, using physicality in the touch and organising her teammates.
Dawson has been praised by her teachers as highly intelligent, with a rare knack of anticipating the oppositions play and setting up counters at an elite level.
Earlier this year, she was the only South Coast player selected in the Open Girls Queensland schoolgirls team. She also scored the game winning try as part of the Open Womens South Queensland Sharks team which won the National Championship.
Angie Sharpe — Rugby League and Touch Football
The future is bright for Angie Sharpe, with her touch football skills quickly transferring to rugby league.
Sharpe utilises her exceptional speed and agility to create opportunities in attack and shut down opposition teams attacking raids.
The 12-year-old competes hard on every play and leads from the front in all teams she plays in. Sharpe represented Queensland schools in touch football and also made the merit team for Queensland schools 12 years Rugby League.
Oceiana Graham — Touch Football
Blessed with great vision and a playmaking ability that defies her years, Oceiana Graham surged through the ranks to be chosen in the Queensland team at just 14.
Adept at setting up opportunities for her teammates or scoring herself, she works really hard on her game has a big future in the sport.
Evie Clarkson — Touch Football
Praised as having “all the attributes of an elite athlete”.
Evie Clarkson has been described as tremendously strong and fast, and combined with her elite level decision making she has the ability to dominate games.
Clarkson took out player of the match awards in the winning Sunshine Coast and Queensland all schools finals.
Keano Kini — Rugby League
One of the finest schoolboy rugby league players in the country, and soon Keano Kini could find himself on the NRL stage.
The enigmatic fullback earned Australian schoolboys selection alongside PBC teammate Michael Roberts, and was a standout for Queensland in the national championships prior to that.
With a Gold Coast Titans contract waiting for him, it seems only a matter of time before Kini builds himself up to a first-grade regular.
Forbes Porter — Football
A winger equipped with the sort of lighting pace that leaves would-be defenders in his wake.
Forbes Porter is often the creator and finisher of chances with the ball at his feet, proving to be a “nightmare” for his rivals to defend.
Porter contested in the Football Australia U15 National Championships for Queensland this year and made an immediate impact.
His teachers and coaches expect that with continued hard work he will pave his way towards a huge future in the game.
Molly McLennan — Football
A gifted midfielder capable of beating any defender one-on-one, Molly McLennan has frequently highlighted her ability to unlock defences through a deft short passing game.
Despite serious injuries threatening her 2022 campaign, McLennan still gained selection in the Queensland Schoolgirls side and was named as the state’s player of the tournament at the Australian Schoolgirls Championships.
In 2023, she will seek to transition from junior star to senior club football phenom.
Dakota Newson — Netball
So dynamic in the midcourt is Dakota Newson that the 17-year-old has garnered elite open level selections.
Lighting quick, agile, powerful and dogged — as described by her teachers — Newson’s determination and vision has been key to her success throughout the year.
This year she represented Queensland at the 17 years and under National Netball Championships, and was integral to their bronze medal campaign.
Newson also featured for the Gold Coast Titans in the Sapphire Series, and was recently named in the 2023 19/U Queensland squad after winning the Nissan State titles with the Titans under 18s side. A bright future is ahead of this youngster.
Ocean Karekare — Netball
Backed with a “natural flair” on the court that bellies her tender years, Ocean Karekare has been praised for using her athleticism to create and disrupt play around her.
Versatility has become a term synonymous with the teenage gun, able to cover several positions particularly in the midcourt.
This Hinterland Netball Association junior is deft, fearless in defence, composed in attack and possesses slick ball skills.
Those traits led Karekare to representative honours with the Queensland 17 years/U team at the National Netball Championships, and from there she was named in the 2022/23 Australian squad.
She subsequently attended the National Youth training camp and was recently named in the 2023 19/U Queensland squad after featuring in the grand final at the Nissan
State Titles representing Ipswich Jets.
PACIFIC PINES STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Paris Couzijn — Powerlifting
Records have been throw to wayside when Paris Couzijn has walked up to the bar.
The young powerlifter competed in the Australian Powerlifting League Nationals competition and broke all four Australian records for the Junior Under 56kg division.
The records she broke were for Squat at 100kg, Bench at 42.5kg, Dead lift at 130kg, and for the largest total at 267.5kg.
This placed her third in Australia for the Under 56kg Women’s Division at just 17, and prior to heading off to the International Powerlifting League World Championships.
Matthew Lyons — Boxing
A future star of the boxing world, Matthew Lyons has already sought to make a name for himself.
The teen star triumphant at the International Golden Gloves tournament in the under-19s division this year, and went on to be selected in the Queensland Boxing team to train alongside Australia’s Commonwealth contingent.
Zachary Rock – Futsal
The world stage is on Zachary Rock’s doorstep. Literally.
The futsal gun partook in a triumphant National School Fustsal Championships campaign, and in the process earned Australian selection.
Now he will head to Spain, where he will represent the nation in the international competition in Barcelona.
Kayos Hapeta — Taekwondo
Proudly flew the nation’s flag at the International taekwondo Championships, in what could be the beginning of a low career in the sport.
Kayos Hapeta, and with taekwondo confirmed for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angelas he could soon find himself on competing among the upper echelon of the code.
Mikayla Nurse – Aussie rules
It does not appear to be too long before Mikayla Nurse is donning the Gold Coast Suns colours in the AFLW.
The talented prospect was part of the Queensland under-15s side who emerged victorious at the National AFL Carnival for the first time in the concept’s history.
From there, Nurse was chosen to join the Suns’ under-16s Academy squad, and her pathway to the top was accelerated further by being brought into the under-18s squad — despite still being just 15.
The Suns have shown their cards in the past by giving teenage sensations a chance to impress, and it could be sooner rather than later that Nurse takes that leap.
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE
Linton Hartley — Ballroom dancing
A stray from the rest of the sports on our list, Linton Hartley has shone in the dancing world.
The young talent has won across the nation in 2022 — triumphing in the Queensland, North Queensland and New South Wales junior open titles.
He then took those efforts a step further, claiming victory at the Australian Junior Opens.
A force on the floor to be reckoned with.
Jesse Flynn — Athletics
From the school arena to the national stage, Jesse Flynn has paved a way towards the top of the athletics world.
The rising star qualified for the Australian track and field school sport championships in the 12 year boys division for high jump.
He went on to finish 5th in the competition, registering a personal best of 1.61m, following his third place finish in the 10-12 years Queensland School Sports Athletics carnival.
Blake Bonney — Athletics
A menace on the track who will be seeking to take his results one step further to crack the podium moving forward.
Blake Booney was in an impressive mood at this year’s Queensland School Sports Athletics carnival, finishing fourth in the 200m and 400m as well as 5th in the 100m.
From those efforts, he was rewarded with Australian selection in the 400m for the 18-year boys division.
Korbyn Bricknell-Hewitt — Athletics
Korbyn Bricknell-Hewitt knows how to pace himself.
At this years Australian track and field school sport championships he qualified for the 3000m walk, after taking out the Queensland title.
With such success already behind him, a future at the Olympics could well and truly be on his radar.
Charlie Dawe — Swimming and Basketball
Having dominated the swimming scene at school, Charlie Dawe took those talents to the next level in 2022.
The phenom in the pool set two school records in the open boys 50m freestyle and the open boys 100m freestyle, moving on to the Hinterland and South Coast swimming representative squads.
Not one to limit his talents, however, Dawe has proven to be a fierce basketball competitor.
Dawe was chosen to represent both the Gold Coast and South Queensland on the court, marking his calibre as an elite and versatile athlete at this level.
Isabella Schramm — BMX
It was a year in which Isabella Schramm saw gold, and with that taste in her mouth she is unlikely to want to give it up.
The BMX gun took out the gold medal in the senior girls category two at the Australian Cycling Shimano National All Schools Cycling Challenge.
Schramm will have plenty of motivation to continue finetuning her craft when the Urban Sport Festival comes to Brisbane next month, where some of the sport’s best and brightest will be on show.
Brooke Hade — Athletics and Touch Football
Brooke Hade is another who has proven to be diverse in the skillset she brings to the table.
After claiming St Michael’s Open Girls Age Championship in cross country, she went on to be selected for the Hinterland Cross Country.
Added to that, Hade has demonstrated she is an avid touch footballer, earning All Schools selection in the process.
Also finished as her school’s runner up champion in both athletics and swimming. What is more, she went on to finish as St Michael’s Senior Sportswoman and finished as her year’s DUX.
A force in everything she seems to try.
Warren Haylett — Swimming
A Queensland representative who took to the national stage with aplomb.
Warren Haylett continued to move up the ranks within his school’s walls, first claiming the 16-year boys age champion accolade before moving on to higher honours.
From his efforts at Hinterland swimming he moved up to the South Coast swimming championships, before then earning Queensland school sport selection.
At the Australian Schools National Swimming Championships, he formed a crucial part of the 400m individual medley team who took out the bronze medal.
Taylor Hade — Touch football, Cross Country, Swimming and Athletics
Anything that involves having a bit of a motor, Taylor Hade succeeds in spades.
At school levels, Hade finished as the age champion in the 15 years for both cross country and swimming, while she also took out second in athletics.
But it was with the Steeden in hand she reserved her best, earning selection in the All Schools Touch carnival.
Harry Osborne — Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming
He may only be 12, but Harry Osborne seems to have the suave and moves of his Spider-Man namesake.
The athletic talent finished as his school’s 12 year boys age champion in athletics and cross country, while also finishing second in swimming.
From there he moved on to Hinterland and South Coast representation in athletics to cement himself as an athlete to watch throughout his schooling career.
Lacey Strachan — Swimming and Cross Country
Broke St Michael’s 13-year girls 50m breastroke record on her way to become the age champion of 2022.
From there, water demon Lacey Strachan earned herself Hinterland and South Coast swimming selection as she seeks to take her exploits in the pool further in 2023.
Backed up her exploits with a third place in her school’s cross country championship.
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