Pearcedale Primary School students Luke Cann and Tayla Strauss are on their way to representing Victoria in the state discus and golf championships. Picture: Meagan Trotter.By Alison Noonan
PEARCEDALE Primary School is proudly producing the next batch of sporting stars.
Gradefive students Tayla Strauss and Luke Cann are making waves in golf and discus and both are gearing up to compete in upcoming state competitions. The 11yearold Luke is within arm’s length of snaring the state discus championship in November after winning the district, zone and regional competitions earlier in the year. The keen athlete said he was training hard to take this year’s crown.
“I practise three times a week for an hour and a half, I do swimming for an hour every week and I do athletics on the weekend.
“I do discus, shot put and javelin but discus is my favourite and it’s what I’m best at,” he said.
Luke said he was feeling good about his chances at the state finals after beating his main rival at the regional championships.
“The boy who usually beats me came second to me, so I’m not that nervous any more.
“I just threw really well so I’ll try to do that again,” he said.
Meanwhile 11yearold Tayla will tee off as the first emergency for the state golf team after finishing a close fifth in the Victorian Golf Championships last week.
Tayla also finished top in the district and zone competitions and said she would be stepping up her chipping practice in the leadup to the championship.
“I practise with my dad because he loves golf too.
“I usually practise at home. I do my chipping in the back yard and putting inside but I go to the driving range once a week and play with Dad on the weekend,” she said.
Tayla said she was hoping to get a callup to the championship in Sydney, which would only be possible if one of the top four became sick or injured.
“I just have to stay home and wait for a call.
“I’m nervous because I haven’t done anything like this before.
“I hope to one day become a professional golfer so this will be a good experience,” she said.
Physical education teacher Brendan McDonough said the school was extremely proud of its star athletes and was confident of their success.
“The school strongly encourages and promotes sport to the students and we have some great little athletes here,” he said.
