Top junior athletics track and field stars from across Queensland revealed
Another hot summer is almost here and we have scoured the state to unearth the teenage athletics superstars in every corner of Queensland who deserve to be recognised for their amazing feats. Discover them here
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Another hot summer is here and the next batch of Olympic hopefuls are lighting up the track while keeping one eye on the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Junior athletes are using the condusive Queensland climate to fine tune their skills across all track and field disciplines.
We have scoured the state to unearth the teenage superstars in every corner of Queensland who deserve to be recognised for their amazing feats.
From Cairns and Townsville through to central Queensland, Brisbane, Toowoomba the Gold Coast and everywhere in between, these are the young guns you must know about.
Gold Coast
Sienna Bush
Club: Gold Coast Running Academy
Primary discipline: Middle distance
Age 15
Bush is the current Queensland State Track Champion 1500m, 3000m and 2km Steeplechase champion, a wonderful middle distance talent.
Summer Murray
Club: Gold Coast Running Academy
Age: 12
Current Qld State 800m Champion
Abbi O’Shea
Club: Gold Coast Running Academy
Age: 16
Current Qld 2km Steeple Champion
Runner up in the 1500m and 3000m
Will Robinson
Age: 14
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Event/s: High Jump
Will has been competing in athletics since he was seven. Originally he enjoyed his throws. Over the years he discovered both a love and talent for jumping. He has completed and medaled at regional and state competitions in high jump, and has represented Qld at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships. He is also talented in 100m sprint, long jump and triple jump, as well as competing in throws. This season he has joined Queensland Athletics to compete in high jump as well as giving pole vault a go. Due to his all round nature decathlons could be in his future.
Luke Holmes
Age: 14
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Event/s: Discus and shot put
Luke has been competing in Little Athletics for the past five seasons. Through his life, Luke has had seven knee operations with at least one further surgery to come – he would be eligible to compete in multiclass, however Luke has chosen to push himself and compete against his peers in general competition. He has shown great determination and perseverance and achieved success in representing his club at a regional and state level for both discus and shot put.
AJ Platell
Age: 14
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Event/s: High jump, triple jump
AJ has represented her Little Athletics club at every State Titles since eligibility, competing in high jump and more recently triple jump. She has completed the Gold Coast Academy of Sports Future Stars Program and has recently been selected to attend the Little Athletics Queensland NZ Development Tour. She has also been very successful in school athletics, representing McAuley College at district, regional and state athletics. AJ also plays representative netball and has played soccer for 6 years. She currently holds several school and club records for high jump.
Charlie Platell
Age: 12
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Event/s: Long jump, high jump, discus, hurdles
Charlie has represented her Little Athletics club at every State Titles since eligibility, competing in multiple events like long jump, high jump, discusand hurdles. She has represented her primary and high schools at the zone, district, regional and state levels and holds regional records for high jump, long jump and discus. Charlie also plays representative soccer, playing in the QCSA State Titles the past two years. Charlie also loves netball and is on her netball clubs rep development squad.
Isabella Carlos
Age: 13 years
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Events: 100m, 200m, Discus, long jump and triple jump
Achievements:
o Made it to State Championships for little athletics in her first season (100m, 200m and Discus)
o Age champion for the club
o Senior girls champion for the club
o Most PBs for the club all in her first season.
o She made it to districts for school for the past 3 years and to the next level of regionals this
year placing just outside of the state qualification
Paige Eizenberg
Age: 11 years.
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Event: Long jump
2022- Paige placed 4th in Queensland
2023- Paige placed 6th in Queensland
Paige has displayed a lot of determination commitment and dedication, which has helped her progress successfully within track and field events. She is extremely proud and grateful of her achievements and support from Beaudesert Little Athletics club and community.
Zarayah Williams
Age:U12 - 2022/23 season
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Event/s: 80m hurdles . 100m Sprints
Zarayah competed at the Little Athletics State championships in Townsville in March 2023. In the 80M hurdles she came eighth in the State, smashing her PB with a new time of 14.60 sec. Zarayah also has broken a school Record at Rivermount College for 100m sprint with a time of 13.56sec.
Charlotte Webb
U17
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
hurdles, 800m, high jump, long jump, triple jump.
Breaking the U17 100m Hurdles club record held by Olympian Riley Day. Competing at states.
Lauchlan Ferguson
17
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Events: Javelin, high jump
Lauchlan tries really hard at all events. Loves to help others achieve their goals by encouraging them to do their best. He is a much loved member of our athletics community.
Isabella Rogers
U14
Club: Beaudesert Little Athletics
Events - high jump, 200m, 400m, javelin
Isabella has been a member of beaudesert little athletics for six years. She has held age champion four years straight from Under-9s to Under-12s. Isabella also managed to break the school record in grade seven for high jump and got age champion at school. Isabella also enjoys doing 200 and 400 m and has recently started to really get into javelin.
Name: Asher Whitaker
Age: 11
Club: Gold Coast Little Athletics
Events: 100 m, 200 m, triple jump and High Jump
Major Achievements: Bronze medal in the 100 m South Coast Regional Trial in 2022. Asher then went on to win a gold medal in the 4 x 100 m at the 2022 Queensland School Sport Championships. At the Little Athletics Queensland 2023 South Coast Regional Championships Asher got Gold Medals in Triple Jump, 200 m and also a silver in 100 m sprint. Asher then went on to the 2023 Little Athletics State Championships in Townsville and won a silver medal in the 200m. In the 2023 School Sport South Coast Regional Trial, Asher got a gold medal in the High Jump, breaking the record at 156 cm, surpassing his own personal best. At the 2023 Queensland School Sport Championships, Asher received a silver medal on a countback despite having a personal best higher than the gold medal winner. Asher has also won medals in the Regional and State Relays with his teammates from Gold Coast Athletics. He is hoping he can go on to win Gold at the School Sport Australia Track and Field Championships in Launceston in November. Asher started at Gold Coast Little Athletics in 2022.
Name: Cassia McLean
Age: 12
Club: Gold Coast Little Athletics
Events: 100m, 200m, high jump, long jump, triple jump
Major achievements: Gold medals in the 100m, Long jump and 4x100m relay at the 2023 Queensland Schools Athletics Championships. Gold in the 100m, 200m, high jump, and long jump at the 2023 South Coast Schools Regional Athletics Championships. Cassia broke the regional high jump record (U/12 girls) at the 2023 South Coast Schools Regional Athletics Championships (1.60m). She also won Gold medals in the 100m and triple jump, silver in long jump, and bronze in the high jump at the 2023 Queensland Little Athletics Championship and placed sixth in the 100m final at the 2022 Australian Schools Athletics Championships. Cassia has been doing Little Athletics since U6s. She will be representing Queensland in a few weeks at the Australian Schools Athletics Championships (10-12yrs) in Launceston in the 100m, long jump and 4x100m relay. She would like to be a professional athlete when she’s older.
Name: Olivia Boulton
Age: 14
Club: Gold Coast Little Athletics
Event/s: Race walking
Major achievements: gold medal at the 2023 Queensland State School Championships for the 3000m race walk, 7th at the 2023 Australian championships in the 3000m Race walk, and 1st QLD to finish. A qualifying time for the 2024 Australian championships in Adelaide for the 3000m race walk. Liv has been doing little athletics since she was u 8’s and developed a love for race walking, she also enjoys running middle to long distances. Olivia also is a joint Club Captain for Gold Coast Athletics.
Name: Harry Osborne
Age: 14
Club: Gold Coast Little Athletics
Events: Hurdles, High jump, Long jump, Triple jump, heptathlon
Major Achievements: gold medal in Triple Jump, long jump and 90m hurdles and silver medal in high jump at the 2023 QLD Schools State Championships. Gold medal in high jump and triple jump and silver medal in the 90m hurdles at the 2023 Australian Track and Field Championships. Silver medal in the triple jump at the 2023 Australian Little Athletics Championships. Harry also won Gold Medals in the Long Jump, triple jump and 200m hurdles and a silver medal in the 80m hurdles at the 2023 Little Athletics Queensland State Championships.
Harry is aiming to qualify in the Heptathlon, high jump, long jump, triple jump, 100m hurdles and 200m hurdles at the 2024 Australian Track and Field Championships in Adelaide.
Name: Summer Carkeet
Age: 15
Club: Gold Coast Little Athletics
Events: Heptathlon
Summer has competed in Little Athletics since she was 5 years old and this is her 11th season. In U11’s Summer got a gold medal at the Qld Championships for the 400m but has since competed in Heptathlons and received a Gold, silver and bronze at the State Combined Events in U11,12,13. This year Summer Represented Little Athletics Queensland at the Australian Championships in the Heptathlon achieving several Personal Bests and breaking Club Records. Summer has also received various State Medals for Relay teams. Summer enjoys the sociable side of Athletics and all the friends she has made.
Name: Daniel Frey
Age: 16
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: Discus, Shot Put
Queensland Little Athletics 2023 Under 16 boys champion in both shot put and discus, NSW junior athletics champion 2023 in U/17 men's shot put, NSW combined high schools 2023 16 years men’s shot put champion and represented NSW at the 2023 Australian Track and Field Championships, winning a bronze medal in the U17 men's shot put. Daniel is a senior club captain at Tweed Little Athletics.
Name: Mikayla Frey
Age: 14 years
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: Long Jump, Triple Jump
Queensland Little Athletics 2023 Under 14 girls triple jump champion, silver medalist in U14 girls long jump, NSW junior athletics 2023 Under 14 women's silver medalist in triple jump, NSW combined high schools 2023 14 years women silver medalist in long jump and triple jump and represented NSW at the Australian Track and Field Championships 2023 in triple jump and long jump.. Mikayla won silver in triple jump at the recent NSW All Schools Athletics Champs in Sydney and has been selected to represent NSW at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Perth in December.
Name: Macey France
Age: 14
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: Long jump, hurdles and AFL
Macey is a vibrant athlete who competes consistently at a high standard of athletics, particularly excelling in long jump. She won gold at the 2021 and 2022 NSW All School Championships and at the 2023 NSW combined high schools championships, as well as at the 2023 Little Athletics State Championships. At a national level, Macey placed third in long jump at the Australian Athletics Championships in 2021 and second at the Australia Little Athletics 2021. She also earned various medals at state level in sprinting and hurdles. She is developing her hurdles form and more recently came second at the NSW combined high schools competition and in the Little Athletics State carnival. Macey is also an avid AFL player, selected into school level and AFLQ academies over the years. She gives her all every time she trains and competes, is a positive competitor and loves being a part of her athletics and AFL squads.
Name: Erin Lanyon
Age: 14
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: triple jump and Long Jump
• Competed at NSW 2023 Country Championships placing first triple jump, second in long jump and 90m
hurdles and third in high jump.
• Selected for the QLD State Little Athletics team to compete at Australian Little Athletics Championships
in Melbourne for triple jump.
• Competed at the NSW All Schools Athletics, placing second in long jump and third in triple jump and will head to the Australian All Schools Athletics in Perth in December.
Name: Amali Moore
Age: 16 years
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 800m, 1500m
Holds multiple bronze medals at State Little Athletics. Amali trains hard and gives it her best in everything she does. Amali’s love of running has also led to being a representative for Cross Country. Amali’s success in track and field has been in unison with holding down a job and keeping her grades up in school.
Name: Rory Mackay
Age: 12
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 100m and 80m hurdles
Major achievements:
Queensland Athletics: U13 Queensland State Championships 2023 first place in the 100m and U13 Australian Athletics Championships 2023 seventh place in the 100m.
NSW Combined High Schools 2023: fourth in the 80m hurdles and fifth in the 100m.
NSW All Schools Athletics Championships: Fourth place in the 80m hurdles and sixth in the 100m.
Name: Chloe Martin
Age: 16
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 400m hurdles
Chloe is a highly motivated and committed individual who has a large passion for athletics. She began running the 400m hurdles in January this year and has won numerous state medals since, including silver at the Queensland Athletics Championships, bronze at the NSW All Schools Championships and gold in the 300m hurdles at the Little Athletics Queensland State Championships. Chloe also competed at the Australian Athletics Championships earlier this year and has qualified for them again next year. Her main goal is to represent Australia at an international level and is looking to qualify for the 2026 World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon in the 400m hurdles.
Name: Melina Greenup
Age: 12 years old
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Events: Long jump and 200m
At the State Athletics Championships in Sydney this year she came fifth in long jump and ninth in the 200m. At the 2022 State Athletics Championships in Sydney she came tenth in the 200m. This year she was awarded as her school’s Athletics Champion for the senior girls, Tweed District PSSA Senior Girls Athletics Champion and the Far North Coast PSSA Senior Girls Athletics Age Champion. Athletics isn’t Melina’s only sport. Her school netball team won the North Coast Knockout Finals this year and are now second in the State, while her school touch football team won the North Coast Knockout Finals this year and are now fifth in the State. Melina made the North Coast touch football team in both 2022 and 2023. She always strives to do her best, has determination and aspires to be an Olympian one day. Being a member of Little Athletics has given her this aspiration.
Name: Tilly Ojiako-Pettit
Age: 12
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 100m, 200m, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, hurdles
Tilly is a sprinter and a jumper. She recently returned from representing North Coast at the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships, and despite carrying a knee injury came 10th in long jump, 12th in high jump, 15th in 100m, and limped to the finish line in the 200m with a time of 29.92. This year while representing Tweed Little Athletics in Townsville, Tilly won gold in the 12 year girls long jump with a jump of 4.74m. She was unfortunate in her heat of the 80m hurdles, where after leading by a couple of lengths she tripped at the last hurdle. While devastated at the time, it has only made her more determined to succeed. In another incident at the championships, Tilly missed out on placing in the 100m after birds flew into her lane. Tilly has had great success in previous seasons by representing her school, district and region at the Australian Athletics Championships where she competed in long jump and the 800m Sprint Medley relay. Her relay team broke the national record and walked away with gold. Tilly also represented Tweed Little Athletics in 2022 in Brisbane, placing first in the 100m. Tilly loves Little Athletics, the events, competitions and friends she has made. She dreams of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic dreams and of being a coach one day so she can help kids like her reach their potenial.
Name: Blade Thompson
Age: 14
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 100m hurdles, 200m hurdles, long jump
Blade has been with Tweed Little Athletics for three years. He has since medalled at state level and been selected to compete at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships. Blade has also been selected to compete in New Zealand in January 2024. Blade continues to strive to achieve PBs and improve on his form and results with great dedication.
Name: Elke Knapp
Age: 12
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 100, 200, 400, 80 hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, discus, 4x100 relay
School Age Champion in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This year, Elke was runner up age champion at the NSW NCIS in Coffs Harbour and qualified to compete at CIS in Sydney where she placed top 10 in the 100m and 200m. Elke says the best part about athletics is making friends and getting a personal best at every competition.
Name: Maddison Hargreaves
Age: 11
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: Triple jump, Shot Put, High Jump, 80m hurdles, 1500m
Little Athletics has given Maddison a lot of self confidence and she strives to improve her skills and PBs every week. She has represented her school at state athletics in the junior relay and has received numerous ribbons and trophies in different sports. Her journey in Little athletics has helped her achieve these goals.
Name: Harper Mayes
Age: 10
Club: Tweed Little Athletics
Event/s: 100m, 200m, hurdles
2022 LAQ South Coast Regional Championships: First place 70m, 100m and 60m hurdles. Bronze at LAQ State Championships in the 70m and sixth place in the 100m. Qualified and raced in the 100m at the NSW PSSA State Championships in Sydney Homebush. Tweed LA Track Age Champion and Field Runner up Age Champion. 2023 LAQ South Coast Regional Championships: First 70m, second 100m, third 200m. Qualified and participated in 70m, 100m, 200m and 60m hurdles at LAQ State Championships in Townsville. Qualified for the 100m and 200m at the NSW PSSA State Championships in Sydney Homebush and was one of just two athletes to qualify from her primary school - Pottsville Beach Public School. Harper’s love for sprinting extends to other sports including soccer and oztag. Her goal is to play for the Matildas.
Toowoomba
Name: Josiah Burstow
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: High Jump
Comment: Josiah cleared 1.74m to win the 14-years Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships title and has his sights set on the 1.8m mark.
Name: Dominic Seaby
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: High Jump.
Comment: Cleared 1.82m to win GPS gold this season, Dominic is a star on the rise.
Name: Nicholas Denny
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: Sprinting
Comment: Won 100 and 200m bronze at the Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships and was part of the winning regional relay team with clubmate Taj Gordon.
Name: Jake Kinsey
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: Sprints and Hurdles
Comment: A very talented hard working runner who claimed silver in the 100m sprint and hurdles at the Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships.
Name: Lucy Dyson
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: Sprinting
Comment: A promising young 100 and 200m specialist.
Name: Taj Gordon
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: Sprinting
Comment: The younger brother of sprint sensation Jai Gordon was a member of the state relay team this year and won the 100m hurdles at the state titles.
Name: Harriet Lloyd-Jones
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: Steeplechase
Comment: A star on the rise, Harriet is one of Australia’s most promising runners after her age group at the national steeplechase titles. She is also a talented Cross Country runner.
Name: Emily Carrigan
Club: Darling Downs Athletics
Primary Discipline: Throwing
Comment: Coached by champion thrower Mason Hughes, at just 10 years of age Emily has shown great promise winning discus and shot put state titles this year.
Name: Taylah Chapman
Club: Fairholme College
Primary Discipline: Multi-class thrower and runner
Comment: Taylah was in the thick of the action at the 13-19 Years Queensland School Sport Track & Field Championships. The young star who loves the opportunity to test herself won shot put, javelin, discus and 200m gold, 100m silver and 4x 100m relay bronze.
Name: Chelsea Gladwin
Club: Fairholme College
Primary Discipline: Steeplechase
Comment: Toowoomba has bright future in steeplechase with athlete’s like Chelsea leading the charge. The younger runner won silver at the recent state championships.
Name: Rose McLoughlin
Club: Fairholme College
Primary Discipline: Hammer Throw
Comment: Coached by the legendary Graham Pitt, Rose picked up bronze at the state titles.
Name: Grace Vanzella
Club: Fairholme College
Primary Discipline: Hurdles
Comment: A sprinter with speed to burn the technical skills to match, Grace won bronze in the 100m at the state titles.
Name: Artie Hudson
Club: Toowoomba Grammar
Primary Discipline: Discus
Comment: Artie won at Darling Downs Track and Field Championships and placed 7th at the 2023 Qld School Sport Track & Field Championships. He then placed third at the GPS Junior Track and Field Championships against some of the same boys. He is very committed, trains hard and loves the sport.
Name: Henry Reeves
Club: Toowoomba Grammar
Primary Discipline: Middle distance running
Comment: Henry won the U11 Darling Downs Cross Country, then finished a strong 5th at the Queensland Cross Country Championships and went on to finish 19th at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Canberra. He also won the GPS U11 Cross Country Championships this year. Henry has an enormous amount of natural ability and is a driven athlete with a great work ethic.
Name: Ed Rogan
Club: Toowoomba Grammar
Primary Discipline: Javelin
Comment: Ed won gold at both the recent 2023 Qld School Sport Track & Field Championships and the GPS Championships. He is a very technical thrower with a strong work ethic.
Name: Joe Mayers
Club: Toowoomba Grammar
Primary Discipline: High Jump
Comment: Joe won gold at both the recent 2023 Qld School Sport Track & Field Championships and the GPS Championships. He is a natural jumper who trains hard and simply enjoys the sport.
Name: Sam Gladwin
Club: Toowomba Grammar
Primary Discipline: Long distance running, Steeplechase
Comment: Sam won gold in the 3000m Steeplechase at the 2023 Qld School Sport Track & Field Championships. Finished 5th overall at the GPS Championships in a very tough field of runners. He runs kilometres as a form of relaxation every day and has a drive and determination when competing that makes him difficult to run down.
Name: Judah Magarey
Club: Toowoomba Little Athletics
Primary Discipline: Middle distance running
Comment: An exceptionally dedicated young runner, Judah recently won the 10 Years Boys 1500m at the Queensland School Sport Track & Field Championships in a new Qld record time of 4:50.99.
Name: Emily Carrigan
Club: Toowoomba Little Athletics
Primary Discipline: Throwing
Comment: Watch this name, Emily is a future star thrower. Emily is the current Queensland Champion in Discus and Shot Put. At just 10 years old, Emily throws over 36 metres in Discus and more than 11 metres in Shot Put.
Name: Geordie Cowdroy
Club: Toowoomba Little Athletics
Primary Discipline: High Jump
Comment: Ranked number 2 in Australia and recently taking out the State title in the 16 Years Boys High Jump at the Queensland School Sport Track & Field Championships, Geordie is already proving he’s got what it takes to compete on the big stage
Name: Xanthee Watts
Club: Toowoomba Little Athletics
Primary Discipline: Sprinting and Throwing
Comment: An all round superstar, Xanthee excels both on the track and on the field. Xanthee recently added two silver medals in the Javelin and Discus at the recent Queensland School Sport Track & Field Championships to her impressive collection of state and national medals.
Name: Rylee Franke
Club: Toowoomba Little Athletics
Primary Discipline: Middle Distance Running and High Jump
Comment: Both a strong middle distance runner and one of Australia top high jumpers, Rylee has proven she’s an all round track and field talent that can do it all. Rylee placed 4th in Australia in the U15 High Jump and 5th in Australia in the Under 15 Heptathlon at the 2023 Australian Track & Field Championships.
Name: Jayden Graham
Club: Toowoomba Little Athletics
Primary Discipline: Multi-class runner
Comment: Up and coming multi-class star, Jayden, brought home a swag of medals from the Queensland School Sport Track & Field Championships, winning gold in the multi-class 400m, 800m and 1500m, along with two silver medals in the 100m and 200m.
TOWNSVILLE
Charli Cox
Club: Ross River Athletics
Age: 13
Primary Discipline: 100m, 200m, long jump and sprint hurdles
Charli has been training athletics since she was three years old, collecting many club records and championship wins over the last decade
Charli smashed the 80m hurdle record at the 2022 Queensland Little Athletics State Championships with a blistering 12.83s and represented QLD in four events at this year’s Australian Track and Field.
Charli has made the Athletics Australia national rankings in the 100m and hurdles – she is ranked 11th in the 80m hurdles and 17th in the 100m – and at the Ross River presentations for 2023 she received: Senior Jumps Champion, Senior Hurdles Champion and Female Athlete of the Year shared with Kaitlin Bitossi.
Kaitlin Bitossi
Club: Ross River Athletics
Age: 15
Primary Discipline: 100m, 200m
Kaitlin first qualified to represent Queensland at the Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane this year she competed in the 100m.
She will represent Athletics North Queensland in the 100m and 200m sprint at the upcoming Australian All School championships and she will also get to represent Queensland in these events at the Australian Track and Field Championship next year.
Kaitlin has also made the Athletics Australia national rankings in the 100m – she is ranked 20th in the 100m – and at the Ross River presentations for 2023 she received: Senior Sprints Champion, Senior Throws Champion and Female Athlete of the Year shared with Charli Cox.
Matthew Green
Club: Ross River Athletics
Age: 14
Primary Discipline: Multi-class runner, long jump, triple jump
Matthew has been competing for six years and his favourite events are the 400m and triple jump, but he also competes in 100m, 200m and long jump.
He will compete in the 400m, 200m and triple jump at the upcoming Australian All Schools.
Matthew finished fourth overall in the long jump and 200m, and sixth in the triple jump at the Queensland School Athletics Championships, and at the Ross River presentations he received Senior jumps Champion, Senior Throws Champion, Senior Sprints Champion.
Lillian Hughes
Club: Townsville North Star Athletics Club
Age: 16
Primary Discipline: 100m, 200m, 400m
Hughes is a state and national representative sprinter. She has made both state and national finals and has competed at the Oceania Championships for her age level.
Taylah Atkins
Club: Townsville North Star Athletics Club
Age: 18
Primary Discipline: Long jump, triple jump, 100m
Atkins is a “pretty untapped” natural talent who is a state medallist in long jump and triple jump and only just missed out on a podium finish at the National Championships.
She has just finished high school and now has her sights set on the Junior World Championships next year, and she is very capable of making the distance needed for Worlds. Atkins is a very strong, fit young girl with a lot of ability.
Izac Moran
Club: Townsville North Star Athletics Club
Age: 12
Moran is a year 7 student at Kirwan High State School, and he also has an interest in rugby league and basketball.
Relatively new to athletics but already excelling in multiple disciplines. State representative for 100m and 200m, narrowly missing finals this year at his first major meeting.
Brigette Rose
Club: Townsville North Star Athletics Club
Age: 13
Primary Discipline: 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m
Talented middle to long distance athlete who placed in the 400m at her last nationals. Misses this year’s nationals due to injury, and also missed the national cross country championships after earning selection to the Queensland team.
Will enter 2024 determined to return to the national stage.
Riley Simpson
Club: Townsville Central little athletics
Age: 12
Primary Discipline: 400m, 800m, 1500m
Simpson is heading to nationals in Hobart after finishing second in the 800m at the state schools finals, only beaten by .03 seconds as three runners crossed the line near simultaneously.
Broke his PB by three seconds in the heats with a 2:16 before shaving off another three seconds in the final with a blistering 2:13.
Sunshine Coast
Taya Clayton
Club/Centre: Noosa Little Athletics Club
Age/Division: U14s
Clayton received the Noosa Little Athletics athlete of the year award for the 22-23 season after a series of standout results at the state and national level. At the state carnival in March she took out the 80m hurdles and 100m, eventually being selected to represent Queensland where she placed seventh in hurdles and eighth in the 100m.
At the Queensland Athletic Junior Championships she placed first in 80m hurdles, second in triple jump, third in 100m and long jump. This qualified her for the Australian Junior Championships where she placed fifth in 80m hurdles and Clayton has already qualified for the 2024 Australian Junior Championships to be held in April.
Taylor Chapman
Age: 10
Club/Centre: Caloundra Little Athletics
Major Achievements: QLD State Race Walking Champion and record breaker 2022 for U10 girls.
Goals for this season + any athletic aspirations: To build some strong foundations on technique, encourage and grow with my fellow CLAC team walkers, to win State championship again this year and itching to be a contender nationally at 13. 2032 Olympics for Race Walking - keeping the sport alive and showing the world why women should have been included in the sport from the very start.
Amber Livingston
Club/Centre: Caloundra Little Athletics
Age/Division: 10
Major Achievements: Four gold medals at the 2022 Little Athletics State Championships which included the 70m, 100m, 200m, long jump and finishing fourth in shot-put.
“I’d like to keep doing athletics and doing well,” she said.
“I hope to be like Charlotte Caslick and play Rugby 7s for Australia and it would be great to make the team for the 2032 Olympics.”
Anna Wilkinson
Club/Centre: Maroochy Athletics/University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club
Age/Division: 14
Sport/Event: All aspects of Track and field with a strong focus on 100m, 200m and 400m events.
Wilkinson has a strong focus on 100, 200m and 400m events where in March she won gold for all three events at the Little Athletics Queensland State Championships. She also broke the 400m state little athletics record before participating at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Brisbane in April. There she took out gold to become the Australian U15 400m National champion. After more impressive performances at the North Queensland Championships in September, Wilkinson has already qualified for the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Adelaide in April 2024. She has also been selected to be part of an Athletics Australia Target Talent Program which focuses on developing athletes towards the 2032 Olympics.
Jamieson Pooles
Age: 15
Club/Centre: University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club
Favourite Events: Discus, Shot Put, Javelin
Major/recent achievements: 2023 U16 National Discus Gold Medalist, 2023 U16 and U18 National Shot Put Bronze Medalist, 2023 Queensland School State (QSS) Gold Medalist in Discus and Javelin, Silver medalist in Shot Put.
Athletic aspirations: “To represent Australia at the 2026 World U20 Championships and make the 2032 Brisbane Olympics,” he said.
Ella Procter
Age: 12
Major Achievements: At the Queensland State Championships earlier this year Procter won gold in the 1500m racewalk. She also took home gold in 2022 and 2021 in the 1100m racewalk event. She is also a Queensland state relay runner in 100m and a medley relay events for the past four years.
Goals for this season + any athletic aspirations: To defend her 1500m racewalk title and to represent Queensland at the Australian Little Athletics Championships in Adelaide in 2024. To also be in the winning team for the 100m relay and medley events at the Queensland State Championships.
Athletics Aspirations: “To represent Australia at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032,” she said.
Matthew McGregor
Age: 12
Club/Centre: University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club
Favourite events: Long Jump, Triple Jump, 100m
Major achievements: At the Australian Athletics Championships earlier this year McGregor was crowned the national long jump champion and received a silver medal in triple jump. At the state level he is the current triple jump champion, silver in long jump and bronze in the 100m. He received the same triple jump and long jump honours at the Little Athletics State Championships plus a silver medal in the 100m. He will represent Queensland at the School Sport Australia National Track and Field Championships in Tasmania at the end of November in Long Jump and relays.
Athletic aspirations: “I hope to represent Australia in Athletics at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics,” he said.
Sophia Tagg
Age: 16
Club/Centre: University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club
Favourite events: Hammer throw and discus throw
Major/recent achievements: Queensland Schools State Champion, Queensland Athletics state champion and silver medallist at the Australian Championships. These achievements have all come in the past six months and Tagg has also been undefeated in the hammer throw at the Queensland Athletics State level for the past four years.
Athletic aspirations: “To win the hammer throw at the Australian Championships, qualify for Australian champs in discus and aim towards national selection. Qualify for open hammer at Australian Championships,” she said.
Chanelle Tagg
Age: 16
Club/Centre: University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club
Favourite events: Hammer throw and discus throw
Major/recent achievements: Second (to her twin sister) at the Queensland State Championships and is a national qualifier in hammer for 5five years consecutively.
Athletic aspirations: “Qualifying for U20/open hammer throw, continue placing top 3 at State Championships and aim for top five at National level. Aiming for Discus national qualifier also,” she said.
Amelia Sheridan
Age: 12
Club/Centre: University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club
Favourite events: Middle distance running (mainly 1500m) and cross country.
Major/recent athletic achievements: first QLD School sport cross country championships, first QLD School Sport 1500m state champs and record and 2nd in the 800m, fifth at the QLD school sport Australian cross country championships, third athletics Australia track/field national championships in the 1500m and 800m, first for 1500m classic in record time of 4.39. That time enables her to compete in the junior world athletic trials for Paris. Sheridan was also awarded the USCAC junior athlete of the year.
Athletic aspirations: To represent Australia in middle and long distance running like her nanna
BRISBANE, LOGAN, IPSWICH AND MORETON REGIONS
Name: Amaya Mearns
Club: Mayne Harriers
Primary disciplines: Sprinter, jumps
In the girls 100m Under 16 final at the state championships earlier in the year, Mearns scorched past the winners post in 11.91 seconds and then won the 200m in 24.11 seconds.
On both occasions club mate, Thewbelle Philp, was second. But Mearns was not content with that, also winning the long jump with a distance of 5.52m and then triple jump with a leap of 11.51m.
Name: Rhani Hagan (St Aidan’s)
Club/school: St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Primary disciplines: Sprinter
When it comes to sisters running quick, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School have the best going. Rhani is a dashing sprinter but will her future lay in 7s rugby? After all she represented the Australian team at the Youth Commonwealth Games.
Her older sister is Zara Hagan, the teen everyone is chasing. The Year 12 St Aidan’s student produced a 11.92sec dash at the QGSSSA track and field championships which was a record breaking effort. That emphasised how quick she is. She represented Australia at the Youth Commonwealth Games.
Emma Fryga
Club: Thompson Estate
Primary discipline: Middle distance
Fryga both the QGSSSA 800m champion in her age division (Somerville House), and also the state 800m under 15 champion (2:14.48), the 1500m champion (4:37.52) and the 2000 Metre Steeplechase state holder. But it gets better than that - earlier this year she won the national 800m and 2000m - all within the space of an hour which was an astonishing feat.
When you have someone like Fryga in front of you, it can’t be easy, but her peers Saffron Jenkinson (Athletics North, 200m steeplechase), Libby Mantay (1500m) and Keilana Stanford-Modini (Qrun) were also grand distance or middle exponents.
Eloise Nealon
Club: Thompson Estate
Primary discipline: Sprints
We have been waiting to mention Nealon because she is a Div A ace as a 100m sprinter both at states and nationals, and also for St Aidan’s in QGSSSA dashes where she was a 200m record breaker.
Name:Paea Houstand
Club/school: MBC
Primary discipline: Sprints and jumps
Houstand Houstand is a national finalist in the 100m sprint and state silver medallist winner who is also a podium finishing long jumper.
Name: Ashley Blackman
Club/school: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School
Primary discipline: Jumps
The 14 Years state and national high jump medallist, Blackman is a terrific talent in jumps, but also in hurdles and javelin.
Name: Ebony Okonkwo
Club/school: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School
Primary discipline: Sprints
Okonkwo is a state and national medallist in 100m and 200m and her duels with Zara Hagan of St Aidan’s are always races to watch. Ebony trains with the Sharon and Chris Dale’s squad at the State Athletics Facility.
Name: Aurelia and Amelie Boyd
Club/School: St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
Primary discipline: Sprinters
The Boyd twins who compete in the 14 years age groups, were thrilling rookies coming through the ranks. Aurelia is slightly faster than Amelie, but it depends on the day.
Name: Maddyn Allison
Club: Mayne Harriers
Primary discipline: Jumps
Soar Maddyn soar. And soar she did, reaching the height of 1.70m in the under 16 high jump at this year’s state title.
Riley-Jay Purcell Henry
Club: UQ
Primary discipline: Throws
Purcell Henry is a brilliant shot put and discus exponents in the under 16 category. At the QGSSSA track and field championships, she launched (45.14m) which was a record breaker at the event. That was a monster discus effort in 15 years category for BSHS.
Charli Moore and Chloe Munro
Club: QEII Track
Primary discipline: Jumps and 200m
Munro as a long jumper and triple jumper, and Moore as a pole vaulter were as good as it gets in the under 15 age groups. Both girls were from the QE II club, as was the under 14 100m state champion Tiana Keke (12.87) who is also an ace long jumper. Also keep a watch on another QEII Track rookie Zara Gaviglio, a girl with a big heart is who is an gun 200m hurdler.
Mila Mabb
Club: Sheldon Academy of Sport
Primary discipline:
Mabb was a terrific young high jumper and triple jumper a national and state finalist in the under 13 years group. Her gold medal winning jump at the states was 1.58m, while she was second in the state long jump.
Abbey Crocker
Club: IPS
Primary discipline: Throws
Crocker hails from sporting rich Ipswich where she leads the way in field performances in the under 13 age group. She is the state shot put and discus throw champion, while club mate Ka’Mya Duncan is also a medallist in both those events. Crocker is just as good in the javelin as well.
Name: Alyssia Gordon
Club/school: Moreton Bay College
Primary discipline: Sprints and middle distance
Here’s a thrilling sprint talent to enjoy over the next few years. At the recent QGSSSA track and field championship, MBC student Gordon was a 100m QG record breaker in 12 years. Also at MBC is Chloe Munro who is an ace hurdler while Ruby Hazell, Taylah Hazell and Chloe Bowen were other top notch MBC athletes.
Tate Van Camp
Club/school: BSHS
Primary discipline: Middle distance
From Brisbane State High, Camp sliced three seconds off the 13 Years 1500m previous best time, recording 4:13.89 at the GPS track and field meet. All this after winning the under 14 800m (2:05.63) and 1500m (4:24.19) at state titles.
Seth Kennedy
Club: Ignition
Primary discipline: Middle distance
From the historic GPS Junior Championships winning school Brisbane Grammar School, who won for the first time earlier in the month, Kennedy is a magnificent prospect who shattered the 15 Years 200m record in a breathtaking display. He was also a 400m state gold medallist by a long way.
Gout Gout
Club: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Sprints
He won’t compete in Little A anymore because this brilliant athlete is now in the big league.
Incredibly humble but a showstopping talent, Gout Gout is the next best thing coming out of Queensland. From Ipswich Grammar School, the 16-year-old ran 21.09, pipping the previous GPS record set in 1981 by S Glover (TSS) in the 200m event.
If he was to run one event not three in the same day at the GPS meet, then the young prodigy could have been even quicker.
But that didn’t stop him from running a 100m record set 12 months ago by Rory Easton (Churchie). Gout Gout ran 10.40secs.
Sean Putra-Susilo
Club: Nudgee
Primary discipline: Hurdles
The under 15 state hurdles champion, Putra-Susilo is also long jump and triple jump young gun who was a record breaker at the GPS meet this year, taking .03secs off the old mark set in 2014 in the 110m hurdles.
Jonathan Kasiano
Club: TAC
Primary discipline: Sprints and jumps
From one of the GPS’ strongest track and field schools in Ipswich Grammar School, Kasiano broke the 15 year 100m record in a sizzling 10.69 seconds, which broke the record.
He was indeed favoured by an illegal tail wind. This followed his first places earlier in the year at the state titles (long jump and triple jump).
Jonte Tukuafu
Club/school: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Throws
The powerful Tukuafu was fabulous in breaking not one but two GPS records in the 11 Years field events. The Ipswich Grammar athlete won the shot put with a throw of 15.45m and then also the discus with a whopping 42.m record breaking effort that bested the previous mark by just shy of 10m.
Name: Harry Chrzescijanski
Club/school: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Throws
Ipswich Grammar School’s Harry Chrzescijanski was also a record-breaker in the 10 years discus with a throw of 33.82m.
Names: Alex Wain, Tom Nealon and co.
Club/school: Nudgee and BBC
Primary discipline: 1500m
When it comes to 1500m talent, Queensland is well catered for. Leading the pack is 14 Years pair Alex Wain (Nudgee) and Tom Nealon (BBC), with Wain the 1500m state champion.
At the recent GPS track and field championships, the pair were locked in a mini classic when Wain (Nudgee) fought off Nealon (BBC) in a dramatic tussle down the home straight. It was a terrific sporting battle, with two top notch athletes giving their all and dragging the rest of the field along for the ride.
Name: Archie Boorer
Club/schools: BGS
Primary discipline: 1500m
He didn’t win the 15 Years 1500m race at the recent GPS track and field championships, but he won the hearts of onlookers. He duel with Dakota Stewart (IGS) was one of the highlights of the meet. Boorer led and tried to then go with a surging Stewart, but Stewart had more in reserve for the sprint.
Other ace GPS 1500m runners included:
+ Nudgee’s Ned Curran had the 16 Years 1500m
+ Jerome Meili (Terrace) storming away from the pack to win in the 13 Years 800m
+ Tom Nealon (BBC) was very impressive in his 14 Years event.
+ St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace ace Lachlan King (middle distance)
Name: Angus Dine
Club: Mayne Harriers
Primary discipline: Sprints, throws and jumps
Maybe Harriers never fail to deliver high class, cutting edge talents, and so it is the case with Angus Dine (under 16, state medal winning sprinter).
Other high class Mayne Harriers athletes include state track and field championship podium finishers George Mills (third javelin, state titles), Daniel Antonio, state champion Joshua Kwan (long jump) and Dewi Madigan, the 13 years 200m state champion and 100m state silver medallist. He was also third in triple jump. And finally we have Edward Mills, 13 years high jump and long jump gold medal winner at the Queensland championships.
Name: Leonardo Seremet
Club: SAS
Primary discipline: Sprints and jumps
Seremet is a stunning talent from Sheldon, emphasised by his 100m, 200m, triple jump and long jump awesome foursome effort in the under 15s at the state championships. He ran the 100m in time of 11.69secs and 23.79 in the 200m, and won the long jump (6.23m) and triple jump (12.13m).
Name: Archer Crowley
Club/school: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Jumps
Second at the Australia track and field championships earlier this year competing in the under 13 long jump (5.45m), Crowley was also third at the nationals in javelin.
Name: Simeon Anstey
Club/school: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Anstey is another national medallist, finishing second in the under 14 age group in the 400m (51.74s).
Name: Ethan Grimshaw:
Club/school: Nudgee College
Primary discipline: Sprints
Grimshaw has speed and plenty of it. A Dolphins NRL academy signing, he is the national champion in both the under 15 100m and 200m events.
Name: Roman Jones
Club/school: Nudgee
Primary discipline: Nudgee
A national bronze medallist, Jones is a fine athlete in the under 14 shot put and javelin.
Name: James Grey
Club/school: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Sprints
Up against Grimshaw, he once did the 100m in 11.65secs in the 12 years age group in 2020. He is still a flyer and places at the state and nationals.
Name: Elijah Sa’U
Club/school: Brisbane State High School
Primary discipline: Throws
Never short of elite sporting talent, BSHS have some of the best juniors around in Elijah Sa’U, who is the open state medallist in discus and shot put, and Kyle Mienart who, as a state medallist, has a high jump PB of 2.05m.
Name: Jo Saunders
Club/school: BSHS
Primary discipline: Middle distance
A renowned middle distance runner who has growing up running the hills of the western suburbs. He is also a gun 3000m exponent. BSHS also hass Jessica Austin and Ava Johnston (1500m) as fabulous middle distant athletes, along with young gun Zara Moore.
Name: Clay Andrews
Club/School. BBC
Primary discipline: Sprints
In the 16 years state finalist Andrews, lets fly in the 100m and 200m. From the Sunshine Coast, he is an elite sprinter but also a 16As winger who plays for Queensland. in the Super Rugby under 16 grand final this weekend. Another sprint ace from BBC is Sean Majendie (15 years). He is a 100m, 200m and 400m Queensland representative.
Name:Jake Hambrook-Smith
Club: SAS
Discipline: Shot and discus
From the 14 years age group, add this name to the list of young guns around Sheldon. He won the state titles in his throwing events.
Names: Ezra Loli and Thomas Purcell
Club: TAC
Primary discipline: Springs and hurdles
The Tigers have a good one here, a trending setting hurdler called Ezra Loli who won
the state 100m hurdles (16 years) from Mayne’s Felix Yen.
Also add Thomas Purcell to the list of TAC young guns after Purcell’s 100m and 200m hurdles state championship winning effort.
And Daniel De Swardt (90m hurdle silver medallist at the Queensland championships).
Name: Dakota Stewart
Club: IPS
Primary discipline: 1500m, steeplechase
Ipswich Grammar School ace Dakota Stewart who won the state 1500m under 16s and the 2000m steeplechase, and had a fabulous GPS track and field meet. He hails from talent rich Ipswich who have a cast of elite rookie athletes.
And aside from IGS’s Jonathan Kasiano who we mentioned earlier, what about this for Ipswich talent:
+ Sean Majendie, 100m and 200m under 16 boys state medallist
+ 200m hurdles champion, 16 years, Daniel Harlow
+ Simeon Anstey, who won the 400m at the states, and was second in the 15 years 200m at the states.
+ Archer Crowley (90m hurdles state medallist)
+ Conor Mathewson (under 15, 1500m silver medal winner)
+ Boden Ritchie (90m and discus 13 years state bronze medal winner)
+ Harsith Rameshkumar (triple jump silver medal, 13 years at the states)
Name: Vince Faulker
Club: Mayne Harriers
Primary discipline: Sprints and middle distance
Terrace’s best sprinter coming through is Faulkner who, after finishing third at the 200m (under 15s) at the states, was on fire at the GPS track and field championships.
He won the 14 Years sprints, and the 400m as well.
Names: Connor Campbell, Shea Caminiti
Club: Ashgrove Rangers
Primary discipline: 400m and 90m
Campbell has his peers looking over their shoulders, medalling twice at the state championships (15 years 400m and hurdles). And his club mate Shea Caminiti is yet another Little A ace who won the 90m 13 years hurdles.
Name: Othniel Nichitean
Club: QE II
Primary discipline: steeplechase
When it comes to big motors, they don’t operate much better than QE II’s Othniel Nichitean who won the 2000m steeplechase for 15 years at the state championships.
Name:Hunter Sibenaler
Club: Algester Little Athletics
Primary discipline: Discus
Keep an eye out on this lad’s progress. He won the discus (13 years) at the AIC track and field championships and was a silver medal winner in the state titles in shot put.
Name: Roman Jones
Primary discipline: Field
Jones is very strong in the field in shot, javelin and discus, twice winning state gold medals and once claiming a bronze.
Name: Dylan Manley
Club: Deception Bay
Primary discipline: Sprinter
The Deception Bay sprinter ran like the win to pull off the under 14 sprint double at the state titles in March. He has a pretty handy club mate as well, Saul Ackfield Kennard (middle distance state medallist).
Name: George Noonan
Club: Toowong Harriers
Primary discipline: Jumps
Keep a watch on this talent. Noonan was third in the under 14 high jumps at the state championships.
Other Harriers high class athletes include:
+ Oliver Waters (14 years triple jump state silver medallist)
+ Scott Thomas (14 years javelin champion, and shot putt, state silver medallist)
+ Joshua Fowler (13 years 100m silver medal winner and high jump silver medal winner)
Name: Nathan Taverner
Club/School: St Laurence’s College
Primary discipline: High jump
Taverner followed in Coomber’s footsteps with a breathtaking win in the opens high jump - a three-way countback required to separate a highly competitive field which Taverner took out.
Name: Hayden Huang
Club: Athletics North
Primary discipline: Sprints
A stunning GPS junior track and field 100m winner, Hayden was also a silver medallists at the state earlier in the year (13 years).
Archer Gartner is another who is always on the podium at the state championships.
Name: Tyler Komarzynski
Club/school: St Patrick’s College
Primary discipline: Jumps
The athletic St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe, talent broke the first record of the AIC track and field championships, clearing 1.65m in the 12 years High Jump, beating the record by a cm.
He is a spitting image of a student athlete in the making.
Name: Connor Mathewson
Club/school: St Edmund’s College
Primary discipline: Middle distance
Blackbook this kid’s name down. From St Edmund’s College in Ipswich, Mathewson is brewing and he is something special. He was an easy record breaker in the 800m 12 Years event where he crossed in 2:17.64, with no one in his rear view mirror. Mathewson also set a new record in the 12 Years 1500m event in a time of 4:39.76.
Name: Ned Waters
Club: Padua
Primary discipline: Field
Here’s won for the juniors. Year 7 Padua College student Waters has a rocket arm on him.
He broke the AIC record with a serous effort, throwing 36.75m in the 12 Years Javelin event.
Name: Banjamin Schinard
Club: ATC
Primary discipline: Middle distance
The record-breaking Ambrose Treacy College was in a world of his own at the AIC meet this year. Schinard took out the Year 6 division 1 800m race in a time of 2.19.16, smashing the previous record by over a second. It was a one-man race where he looked the winner from the outset.
Name: Hugo Harrison
Club: Villanova
Primary discipline: Sprinter
The Villanova College athlete won the 100m and 200m events this year in fine fashion, but it wasn’t the first time.
In 2022, Harrison also had bragging rights with a sprint double.
Name: Jack Coomber
Club/school: St Laurence’s College
Primary discipline: Middle distance
The AIC 800m champion Coomber is one of the best junior middle distance runners going.
Ryder Wilson
Club/school: Ipswich Grammar School
Primary discipline: Sprints
We were not going to mention 10 year old athletes in this story, but just had to give this Ipswich Grammar upcomer a plug. He was the division 1 100m and 200m champion who hit the line strongly in both events to have a GPS meet of dreams.
Name: Isabelle Palmer
Club/school: St Peters Lutheran College
Primary discipline: Hurdles:
Palmer has been one of the state’s leading young athletes for several year and at the recent QGSSSA championships she took off and broke the 90m 16 years 90m hurdles record. St Peters also have Clarie Riot, the 12 years 800m star who broke an old mark of 2:23.36 at the QGSSSA championships, and her school mates Ava Knox and Summer Phillips, as middle distance aces.
Name: Saskia Josipovic
Club/school: BSHS
Primary discipline: Throws
BSHS discus aceJosipovic was a QGSSSA track and field championship record breaker in September, while another BSHS student, Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell, (45.14m) also reached a new mark in her event.
Name: Dal Ekeocha
Club: Brisbane Grammar School
Primary discipline: Sprints
From the champion Brisbane Grammar junior track and field team, Ekeocha is a 12 Years division 1 hurdles hero who eclipsed a GPS record with a sensational 12.81sec effort at this year’s meet.
Name: Flynn Lane
Club/school: Nudgee
Primary discipline: Sprints,
From the 12 years age group, Lane is another ace sprinter at the states and at GPS competition.
Name: Charles Lopes
Club: Churchie
Primary discipline: Sprints
One of the younger of our athletes mentioned in this story, 11 Years competitor Lopes is an absolutely sensational junior sprinter and hurdles exponent from Churchie.
Name: Asher Parkin
Club/school: MCA
Primary discipline: Middle distance
Marist College Ashgrove has been a powerhouse track and field school for the better part of a decade and carrying the baton in 2023 was Parkin, a 16 years ace who stormed home to win the division 800m race. Ambrose Treacy College’s Jack Boyce came second and gave the blonde-haired Parkin a real run for his money.
Name: Luka Templeman
Club/school: Moreton Bay College
Primary discipline: Sprints and middle distance
Templeman was a bronze medallist at the 2023 Queensland Athletics State Championships (
under 13 Years) in 800m (2:24:56). She went on to place fourth at the Australian Athletics Championships.
Name: Erin Cotchin
Club/school: Moreton Bay College
Primary discipline: Jumps
Cotchin is a gold medallist from the 2023 Queensland titles, winning the under 14 high jump. She is also a fine long jumper.
Name: Clara Best
Club/school: St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School student Best
Primary discipline: Jumps
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School student Best set a new high jump record at the QGSSSA track and field championships during September. She soared to a lofty mark of 1.58m.
Name: Lara Crisafi
Club: UQ
Primary discipline: 200m
Lara Crisafi is the best 200m sprinter in the under 14s in the Queensland.
Rose Acklin (TAC)
Club: TAC
Primary discipline: Middle distance
How’s this for a winning time? Acklin ran 57.02 to win by almost a second in a willing field competing in the under 16 400m at the state’s titles - and then won the 800m in 2:16.65.
Charlotte Blair
Club: Mayne Harriers
Primary discipline: Hurdles
Blair was white hot in the under 16 hurdles, posting a winning time of 29.42, and while on jumps, Blair’s Harrier’s club mate Aaliyah Bourke was also a terrific jump jumper.
Maeve McCowen
Club: Athletics North
Primary discipline: Steeplechase and middle distance
McCowen sure has a big motor. In her gruelling 2000m Steeplechase she put space between herself and second place with a winning time of 7:13.81 while club mates Zoe McElwaine and Gemma De Villiers were also an elite middle distance athlete.
Charlotte Wallace
Club: Toowong Harriers
Primary discipline: Middle distance
Speaking of middle distance athletes, what about Toowong Harriers Wallace who wins 800m state titles for fun. This year’s winning time was 2:31.28. Toowong have other tremendous little athletes including:
+ Sienna Pearsall (under 13 long jump and triple jump)
+ Zoe Renton (3000m race walk)
+ Lily Barnett (3000m race walk)
Central Queensland
Name: Isabella Driscoll
Age: 13
Club: Keppel Coast Athletics Club
Events: 200m, 400m, long jump, triple jump
Comments: One of the rising stars of track and field in Central Queensland, having just won a silver medal at the recent Queensland Schools Championships in Brisbane in her favoured event, the 400m sprint. Is heading to Perth in December for the Australian All Schools Nationals, where she will compete in the 200m and 400m.
Name: Holly Blunt
Age: 18
Club: Keppel Coast Athletics Club
Events 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, long jump
Comments: One of the most accomplished and decorated athletes in the region and proved that again at the recent Queensland Schools Championships, winning gold in the 100m, 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles and silver in the 200m. Her passion is hurdles and having just completed Year 12, she is Gold Coast-bound for further studies and to develop her athletics career, joining one of the best hurdle training squads in Australia.
Name: Grace Francis
Age: 13
Club: Keppel Coast Athletics Club
Events: 800m, 1500m
Comments: An outstanding middle-distance runner who won two silver medals with huge PBs in the 800m and 1500m events at the Queensland Schools Championships. She will be taking on the best in Australia at the upcoming Australian All Schools Nationals. With the improvements she had made so far this season, it will be no surprise to see her on the podium in Perth in December.
Name: Maddy Lynch
Age: 17
Club: Keppel Coast Athletics Club
Events: Shot put, discus, javelin
Comments: A talented athlete with an impressive record over a number of seasons in throwing events. Her strength and discipline paid off in the shot put at the recent Queensland Schools Championship where she won silver with a throw of 12.26m, only 22cm behind the gold medallist. She is also heading to Perth for the Australian All Schools Nationals.
Name: Sharnti Woodham
Age: 17
Club: Keppel Coast Athletics Club
Events: 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, cross country, steeple chase
Comments: Has been competing for the past seven years and cemented her place as one of the outstanding distance runners in the region. This season she has been focused on the 800m and 1500m, having recently been selected to represent Athletics North Queensland at the upcoming Australian All Schools Nationals in Perth. She is training well in preparation for Perth, where she is determined to finish her season on a high note.
Name: Zane Keiler
Age: 13
Events: Shot put, discus, javelin
Comment: Another rising star who scored a silver medal in the shot put at the Queensland Schools Championships with a massive throw of 14m. Has the potential to continue to improve and is sure to be a force in the throwing events for seasons to come.
Name: Lily Woods
Age: Under-14
Clubs: North Rockhampton Athletics Centre/Keppel Sands Athletics Club
Comments: Won gold and three silver medals at the LAQ State Championships and followed up with bronze in the triple jump at nationals. Was awarded the Don McDowell Memorial Trophy for Junior Female Champion at the NQ Championships, where she broke the meet record to win the 100m, and also bagged gold in the 200m and silver in the long and triple jumps. Will represent North Queensland in the 100m, 200m, long jump and triple jump at the Australian All Schools Championships in Perth in December.
Name: Finn Wyatt
Age: Under-13
Club: North Rockhampton Athletics Centre
Comments: A talented athlete who has enjoyed plenty of success since starting in the sport at age five. Put in an impressive showing at the North Queensland Championships, producing PBs to win gold in the 90m hurdles and silver in the 200m hurdles and triple jump. Had a top-10 finish in the under-12 boys combined events championships at the recent states in Brisbane. After starting as a middle-distance runner, has turned his focus to hurdling, and is currently ranked 9th in Australia in the under-14 200m hurdles.
Name: Maggie Allridge
Age: Under-12
Club: North Rockhampton Athletics Centre
Comment: Participating as a multi-class athlete, she bagged a host of medals representing Capricornia at the state track and field (10-12 years) titles. She won gold in shot put, 100m and 200m, silver in discus and bronze in the 4x100m relay. Has been selected to represent Queensland at the national schools track and field titles in Tasmania in November.
Name: Dolly Byrnes
Age: 10
Club: North Rockhampton Athletics Centre
Comment: A dedicated and hard-working athlete who has broken more than 10 discus records this year, including the Capricornia region record. Recently placed third at the state titles with a throw of 30.56m. Will be looking for more success when she competes at the nationals in Tasmania in November.
Emmerson Broomhall
Age: Under-17
Club: North Rockhampton Athletics Centre
Comment: Has amassed an impressive collection of medals this year at events including the Mackay Carnival, where she also set five championship records, and the Central Queensland Athletics Championships. Excels in the throwing events, especially the hammer and shot put, but also competes in sprints and jumps. For the past two years, has been selected in the Little Athletics Queensland New Zealand development teams. This year, she received the statewide LAQ George Harvey Leadership Award, displaying the attributes of leadership, respect, perseverance, sportsmanship and enthusiasm.
Name: Jacob Runham
Age: 12
Club: Central Queensland Athletics Club
Comment: Has impressed in his first year with the club, winning medals at the Mackay Track and Field Carnival and his own club carnival. Earned selection in the Capricornia schools team, putting in a strong performance in his pet event of high jump at the state championships.
Name: Tom Latcham
Age: 15
Club: Central Queensland Athletics Club
Comment: Collected medals at the Emerald Central Highland Games Track and Field Carnival and the North Queensland Championships. Earned selection in the Capricornia schools team and has qualified to represent North Queensland at the nationals in Perth in December, where he will compete in the hammer, shot put and long jump.
Andrew Ramm
Age: 17
Club: Central Queensland Athletics Club
Comment: Showed plenty of promise in his first year with the Central Queensland Athletics Club, finishing on the podium at the Mackay Track and Field Carnival and the North Queensland Championships. Represented Capricornia, performing strongly at the states in his favourite event, the hammer. Will also represent North Queensland at the nationals in Perth in December.
Mackay
Ayla Moon
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Middle/long distance running
Age: 11
Ayla had a strong 2023 with more to come. She represented Queensland in Cross Country, and this was her first time competing at this level, coming 33rd in a strong field of 55 athletes. She also had a strong NQ Championships in September, achieving results of: 2nd in the U12‘s High Jump and equalling her PB, 1st place in a rather windy U12’s 1500m, 1st in the 800m, PB and Record in the 400m. She endured similar succes at the All School States: PB in the 800m, winning in her heat and bringing home the silver medal. She’ll also compete in November at Nationals in Tasmania.
Tahlia McGilvray
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Sprints/middle distance running
Age: 11
Tahlia only had half a season when she returned after breaking her wrist early in March, which had seen her sidelined for 3 months. Upon her return, she equaled the Mackay Athletics Club club record for 11-year girls in 100m - 14.00 seconds. The previous record had been set in 2015. She ran a 6.5 second PB in the 400m in a time of 1.07 at NQ Championships, but wasn’t able to win any medals.
Alleah Fallon
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Middle distance
Age: 12
Alleah competed at the NQ Cross Country Championships on the 19th of March. It was her first big event and she had only really been running for 6 weeks prior, yet came 14th overall. At the NQ Championships she picked up results of: 3rd place in the U13 years 1500m and 800m, 1st place in the 3000m, Top 15 in the State of Queensland for the 800m and a huge 5-second PB and 22nd in Queensland for 1500m. She’s been chipping away at her numbers well, expect to see that continue into the future.
Marli Eden
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Sprints/jumps
Age: 13
In the Mackay School District, Marli achieved results of: 1st in the 100m, making her the fastest 13yo girl in Mackay with a PB of 13.66s, 1st in the 200m as well. It meant she achieved her goal of making it into the Capricornia team and competing at states. At the Bowen Carnival she came: 3rd in the 100m, Triple Jump and Long Jump, 2nd in the 200m and 400m, and 1st in the Senior Mixed Relay.
Trae O’Brien
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Sprints/throws
Age: 13
At the Capricornia trials, Trae finished: 1st in the 100m, 200m, and Discus (34.44m). Representing Capricornia at Brisbane States, he came 6th in the state for 200m with PB of 24.80s, and also achieved a 100m Pb of 12.15s. While there were no PBs at the NQ Championships, he came 2nd in 200m, Discus and Javelin. At the Bowen Carnival he finished 1st in Senior Mixed Relay. His PB in Long Jump of 5.44m was also achieved during the season. Trae was Age Champion at the Calen State District College for Athletics and Cross Country and in Mackay Athletics Club as well and Junior Athlete of the year in the Sleak Squad. He also picked up many other placings across Rockhampton, Bowen, and Mackay carnivals.
Hayley Colless
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Hurdles/sprints
Age: 14yr
Hayley achieved a 2x bronze at the QLD Athletics State Championships in March in 90m Hurdles and 200m Hurdles. At the Australian Athletics Championship in April: 200mH 10th in Australia (missing final by 0.04s) and 90mH 13th in Australia. At the Mackay Athletics Carnival: 1st in both 90mH and 200mH. The Festival of Athletics saw her finish 1st in 14yr Pentathlon. At the Bowen Athletics Carnival: 1st in 90mH with a new carnival record, and a Mackay Athletics Club club record set for 200mH and 60m sprint. At the NQ championships: 90mH 1st with new record, 200mH 2nd, and she made the NQ teams for both events. At the School State championships: 3rd 200mH (30.05s) and 4th 90mH. Hayler also has the upcoming Queensland Athletics All Schools and All Schools Nationals in Perth. She’s on the NQ team for 90mH and 200mH in December.
Isabella Webb
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Sprints
Age: 14
Isabella came 1st in the 100m and 200m at Mackay District trials with PB’s in both, but she missed Capricornia trials due to injury despite qualifying based on Mackay district times. At the QLD State Championship in October: 18th out of 36 in 100m, 14th out of 26 in 200m with a PB. At the NQ Championships in September she achieved: 5th in the 100m with a PB. She’s also set to compete in Brisbane for the QLD All Schools Championship, was chosen for the NQ team, and will compete in Perth in December at All Schools Nationals.
Oren Byrd
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Jumps
Age: 14
At the Mackay State High School sports carnival, Oren was crowned the champion for his age. At the Mackay Athletics Carnival: 1st in High Jump and Discus, 3rd in Triple Jump, Long Jump and 200m. At the Mackay District Trials: 1st in Long Jump, 2nd in 100m, Triple Jump, Discus and High Jump, 3rd in 200m. At the Capricornia trials: 2nd in Long Jump and Triple Jump. At the NQ Championships: 3rd in all of Long Jump, Triple Jump and High Jump.
Connor Lawn
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Jumps
Age: 14
At the NQ Championship in September Connor’s results included: 1st in Triple Jump, 2nd in High Jump and Long Jump. He also competed at the recent State Championship in Brisbane, where his highlight was coming 2nd in Triple Jump with a PB of 12.67m.
Elizabeth Lee
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Heptathlon
Age: 16
At the Festival of Athletics early in June, Elizabeth qualified for the Heptathlon. She will be heading to Adelaide to compete at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships in April 2024.
Kayce Hoani-Vincent
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Pole vault
Age: 16
Kayce Pole Vaulted her way to 1st in the NQ Championships and QLD RSS Schools Championships, with a new PB of 3.10m - a 20cm improvement - coming at the latter. For the second consecutive year she competed at Capricornia School Sports, and in the coming days she’ll be competing at the QLD All Schools Spot in Perth. She was also selected for the ANQ team for U18s Pole Vault, but decline for a shot at QLD team selection next week.
Mikayla Webb
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Sprints
Age: 16
Mikayla came 1st in the 100m and 200m at Mackay District School Trials and Capricornia School Trials. At the NQ Championships in September: 2nd in the 100m and 200m, 2nd in John Campbell Miles Opens 100-yard dash. At the QLD State Championships in October: 2nd in 100m and 200m (1st in Heats and Semis). She’s competing this coming weekend in Brisbane at the QLD All Schools Championship, and was chosen for the NQ team. Will also compete in Perth, in December’s All Schools Nationals.
Toby Rule
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Middle/long distance running
Age: 16
At the Queensland Athletics 3000m Championships in Brisbane on the 1st of March Rule came 9th with his fastest time for the whole year. At the Queensland Athletics State Championships he achieved results of: 5th place in U17 steeplechase and a PB of 29 seconds, 6th in U17 1500m with an eight-second PB. At the NQ Cross Country Championships he won the U17 boy’s 6km. At the Mackay Track and Field Carnival: 800m 2nd, 1500m 2nd, 3000m 1st (plus the record), Steeplechase 1st (plus the record). At the Queensland Athletics Cross Country All Schools and Short Course Championships he came 7th in the 16-year-old boys 6km. At the Festival of Athletics in Townsville: 1st Steeplechase, 1st 1500m, 1st 3000m and 2nd 800m. He competed at the Queensland Athletics XC23 State Championships in Toogoolawah and came 2nd, automatically qualifying in the Queensland Team. At the Australian Cross Country Championships in Stromlo Forest, ACT, U17, 3rd place and Bronze in his age group for the Queensland team. North Queensland Championships, Queensland Mile Championships, 1st place and sliced over a minute off his PB, as well as2nd 3000m Steeplechase, 4th 1500m, 6th 800m, 1st in the 3000m and a 5-second PB. At the 2023 All Schools States: 3000m 1st, PB 5 seconds, and for the second time going under 9 minutes, 1500m 1st in the heat, Steeplechase 2nd, 10-second PB, 1500m final, 2nd and a season-best. Toby was also named in the North Queensland Team for 2023 for the 1500m, 3000m, and the Steeplechase, heading to the Australian All Schools Championships in Perth in December. He’s a finalist in the North Queensland Sportstar Awards for NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year. Toby’s also set to compete at the All-Schools States in Brisbane in the 1500m, 3000m, and Steeplechase.
James Galea
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Discus
Age: 16
James has come in leaps and bounds this year. He came 6th in Discus at the U18 National titles in Brisbane. At the Festival of Athletics: 1st in Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, Javelin, Weight Throw, and Throw Pentathlon. At the NQ Championships: 1st in Discus, Hammer, Weight Throw and Throws Pentathlon, 2nd in Shot Put and 5th in Javelin. He was awarded Senior Male Athlete of North QLD Championship. James also has a passion for also officiating, and he officiated at the Junior Australian Athletics titles in Brisbane. You can discover more of James’ story here.
Drew Lawn
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Jumps
Age: 16
Drew didn’t compete at the NQ Championships as he was away, but he represented Capricornia in Brisbane at the All School States, coming 3rd in Triple Jump with 13.29m
Adison Byrd
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Jumps
Age: 17yr
Adison had a strong season At the Mackay State High School sports carnival he received Age Champion and broke a 23-year record in Triple Jump with 13.45m. At the Mackay Athletics Carnival: 1st in High Jump, Triple Jump and Long Jump, 2nd in Discus, Shot Put, 100m and 200m. At the Mackay District Trials: 1st in High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump and 100m. At the Capricornia trials: 1st in High Jump, Long Jump and Triple Jump, 2nd in 100m. At the NQ Championships: 1st in Long Jump and Triple Jump, 2nd in 100m, 3rd in High Jump. At the Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships in Brisbane: 2nd in Triple Jump.
Keira Caban
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Sprints/jumps/throws
Age: 12
A versatile para-athlete, Keira has a successful NQ Championships in September, achieving results of 22.18s in the 100m, 49.82s in the 200m, 2.10m in Long Jump, 4.18m in Shot Put, 12.30m in Discus. At the School States she represented Capricornia in Brisbane, coming 3rd in Shot Put, 2nd in Long Jump, and 3rd in the relay.
Thomas Martin
Club: Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Throws/jumps
Age: 13
Para-athlete Thomas competed at the QLD School Championships representing Capricornia, and finished 2nd for Shot Put and Discus and 3rd for Long Jump.
Liana Herrington
Club: North Mackay Athletics Club
Primary discipline: Pole Vault
Age: 13
Liana’s been a member of North Mackay Athletics since she was six. She’s now 13, and in January this year she picked up a pole vault and never looked back winning the QLD Athletics State championship in March, then coming 3rd at Athletics Australia Chemist Warehouse Nationals in Brisbane in April. Liana progressed thru to Capricornia Trials in Long and Triple Jumps, then went with the team to QSS QLD State Championships, winning gold in pole vault for 13yrs girls. Liana also won NQ Championships in pole vault, breaking the record, cementing her place at All Schools Nations in Perth in December as part of the NQ Team. Her next challenge is All Schools QLD championships this weekend. Pole Vault came quite naturally to Liana who is a competitive gymnast, and currently training Level 7.
Cairns
Name: Talarah Henseleit
Age: 18
Club: Cairns Athletics
Discipline: Sprinter
An exceptional 18-year-old sprinter, has made a name for herself in the world of athletics. In 2022, she showcased her prowess by clinching the gold medal at the QLD School Sport State Championships in the 200m, and a well-deserved silver in the 100m. Her talent and dedication led to her selection in the Target Talent program, which identifies elite junior athletes and she also gained selection in the Australian U18 4x100m relay team, an honour she earned after a
remarkable 4th-place finish in the 100m at the Australian Championships in 2021.
Name: Piper Devine
Age: 16
Club: Cairns Athletics
Discipline: Sprinter/Distance Runner
Piper Devine is already making waves in the athletics community. Piper’s list of achievements includes multiple medals at State Championships in events like 800m, 1500m, and cross country. However, her standout moment came in 2023 when she secured a silver medal at the Australian Athletic Championships in the 800m with a remarkable time of 2:10. She’s still exploring her most suitable event but has recently shifted her focus towards the 400m and 800m. Piper is also part of the prestigious Target Talent program, which identifies
elite junior athletes.
Name: Zoe Miles
Age: 15
Club: Cairns Athletics
Discipline: All-round jumper (High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump) Zoe Miles has been an all round jumper in the Cairns region for many years and recently performed well at the QLD School Sport State Championships. Zoe placed 8th in high jump clearing 1.53m, 5th in long
jump with 5.12m and 7th triple jump with a 10.78m pb. These are excellent results competing against the best in Queensland. Zoe’s next target is the Australian Athletics Championships in 2024 where she will represent Queensland in high jump, long jump and triple jump.
Name: Amosa Leaupepe
Age: 14
Club: Cairns Athletics
Discipline: Discuss
Amosa Leaupepe is 14 years of age, and has already experienced national competition in April this year at the 2023 Australian Track and Field Championships, where he threw a PB in the discus of 42.31m, nudging into the top ten places. Since then, his distance has increased to in excess of 45m over the regular athletics season.
Name: Lucas Browne
Age: 13 years
Club: Cairns Athletics
Discipline: Shot Put
Lucas has also made significant gains this season in the shot put, recently cracking the 12m mark in Mackay at the 2023 North Queensland Championships, earning him first place and a spot in the North Queensland team for the 2023 Australian All Schools Championships, and the Queensland Team for the 2024 National Championships.
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Originally published as Top junior athletics track and field stars from across Queensland revealed
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