From left: Casey Little Athletics Club representatives Jordan Nelson, Samantha Prime, Jessica Cox, Nicole Hallett and Siobhan Jagusch are flying to Perth for the Athletics Australia All-Schools Championships this month. Picture: Meagan Rogers. By Marc McGowan
FIVE children will represent Casey Little Athletics Club at the Athletics Australia All-Schools Championships in Perth from 31 August.
Jordan Nelson, 14, Siobhan Jagusch, 14, Samantha Prime, 11, and Jessica Cox, 9, will compete in their respective age groups in the cross country competition, while Nicole Hallett, 13, will strive for victory in the under 14 racewalking event.
All have been on the national stage before, bar Jessica, who will be making her debut at that standard.
Jordan, who has been involved in athletics for seven years, has enjoyed success in both cross country and on the track and will be looking for an improved showing now he is a top-age participant in his group.
“I went to nationals in Tasmania last year for cross country and they combined the two age groups, 14s and 15s, and I came 20th, so this year I get to run in the same age group again,” he said.
“I’m hoping to finish in the top eight or the top 10. I’d be pretty happy if I could do that.”
Despite medalling at several national meets over the past few years, Siobhan heads across the Nullarbor with modest expectations, as she will be stepping up an age group this year.
“The two age groups are mixed together, so I’ll be bottom age. I’ll just be hoping to get a PB (personal best),” she said.
“I love the thrill of when you finish the race, with how good you feel and knowing all the training has paid off.”
Samantha, whose father Rod also runs for Casey, is looking to continue the steady improvement she has made in the past few seasons and has some big goals for the future.
“I’m going over for the experience and to do well,” she said.
“I just want to keep going and maybe one day run for Australia.”
Jessica is not sure what to expect from her interstate trip, but will be putting all her energy into producing a quality display.
“I am excited – I just want to do my best,” the former Pakenham athlete said.
“I enjoy it because I’m good at it and it’s fun.”
The final member of the five locals, Nicole, is another to have achieved impressive results against both state and national opposition.
The talented teenager has made annual sojourns to Canberra for the Lake Burley Griffin Racewalking Australia Championships and boasts a best finish of second.
The discipline may only appeal to a niche audience, but Nicole said that this was what attracted her to the event.
“I think it’s just an unusual sport, and once I started to do it a bit more I got better and better and just liked it more and started competing,” she said.
