Former student highlights new path for athletes

Former student returns to Toowoomba to inspire athletes

BIG LIFT: Former St Saviour's student Hannah Topp sets up for deadlift. Former St Saviours Topp recently paid a visit to her old school to speak about her power-lifting career.

WEIGHT LIFTING: A former St Saviour's student is doing her part to inspire the female athletes of tomorrow.

Hannah Topp returned to her old school recently for an awards night and to share some of her story.

Topp, who graduated in 2011, openly admitted to not enjoying physical education during her early school.

Things changed in year 11 though when she fell in love with HPE and she would eventually go on to earn a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.

Fast forward a few years and Topp is now champion powerlifter having completed in Australia and overseas.

"It was fantastic having Hannah speak to the students recently,” St Saviour's HPE, Sport and Activities middle leader Greg Leathart said.

"I think it was very inspiring for some of students to see someone like Hannah who wasn't fully into sport at young age but has gone on to achieve great things.

"It shows them what hard work and dedication can achieve.”

Leathart said Topp's return to the school also highlighted one of the fantastic new pathways open to young female athletes now.

"There are so many more options open to athletes now,” he said.

"It's not just the traditional sports and pathways any more they can do anything they set their mind.

"From an education perspective Hannah's efforts are also a great example of what we're trying to teach our students.

"We try to teach them science behind the how the body moves and performs and how important it is to be healthy.

"Hannah is a good example of those principals.”

Originally published as Former student highlights new path for athletes