WONDER WALKER

SAM OUR YOUNGEST MALE ATHLETE

SAM Walker has already created Commonwealth Games history before setting foot on the track. At 15 years and 166 days, Sam — surrounded by friends yesterday at Glenorchy’s Dominic College — will be the youngest male competitor in Australian athletics when he takes part in the T38 100m.

HE’S the shy kid from Hobart’s northern suburbs who has already created Commonwealth Games history before even setting foot on the Gold Coast track.

Sam Walker, aged 15 years and 166 days, is going to be the youngest male athlete to represent Australia at any Games when he takes part in the T38 100m event next month.

Surrounded by friends at Glenorchy’s Dominic College yesterday, the Year 10 student wasn’t giving too much away. “I was excited [to be selected],” Walker said. “It will probably just be the whole experience I think, I reckon it will be good fun. I didn’t know I was the youngest, but it makes me very proud. I will just try and get a medal, give it a go.”

While Walker was keeping his emotions in check, it wasn’t the same for his classmates or staff, Dominic Year 7 to 10 coordinator Aaron Davey said.

“We are so proud of him,” Mr Davey said. “This morning we had an assembly with all of our 480 students on our Grade 7 to 10 campus, they took the roof off they were so happy for him and being able to celebrate one of our own being so successful is amazing.”

Walker has mild cerebral palsy, but it hasn’t stopped him becoming the school’s top sprinter.

“At school he’s determined to play and do as many things as he can,” Mr Davey said.

“To have such an opportunity at such a young age is amazing and we hope this is the start of big things for him.”