CAIRNS POLE VAULTER FLYING HIGH FOR NATIONAL TITLES
One try-out has set a Cairns teen on the path to vaulting at elite level
IT TOOK Cairns pole vaulter Jessica Rohrsheim one training session to get hooked on the sport.
The 14-year-old is one of almost two dozen Far North emerging athletes that are this week set to take on the best from around the country at the 2018 Australian All Schools Championships to be held in Cairns.
The 2018 Australian All Schools Championships will be staged at Barlow Park, from Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 9.
As well as pole vaulting, Rohrsheim competes in middle distance running events.
“I got involved in athletics at a young age by chance,” the emerging talent said.
“My family visited an athletics club and they asked me if I wanted to have a go.
“Once I got on the track I couldn’t get back off, and have done it ever since
“My coach was the one that got me interested in the pole vault.
“One day he said (I should) come and have a go and I did. I like it.”
The Australian All Schools Championships, organised by Athletics Australia, is the Na- tional Track and Field Championships for school sport.
The two-and-a-half day competition has both individual medals and state team trophies up for grabs.
“I am very excited to compete at Barlow Park for the National Championships,” Rohrsheim said.
“I am looking forward to meeting new friends and learning off other athletes.”