Toowoomba trio set for nationals
Next week promises to be a testing and exciting one for three Toowoomba junior athletes as they prepare to take on Australia’s best.
Jai Gordon, Lilly Hanssen and Carter Blades will line up for Queensland at this year’s Australian Junior Athletics Championships when they begin next Wednesday at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.
Gordon will contest the national 100-metre event; Hanssen has a dual assignment in the 400 and 800 metres while Blades is looking to continue his rise in the 400 metres.
The trio, who trains together with Toowoomba coach Amanda Toleman, won their way to Sydney at last month’s Queensland Track and Field Championships.
Gordon scored a bronze medal in the boy’s under-16 100 metres; Hanssen picked up silver in the under-15 400 metres and Blades finished second in the under-14 400 metres.
Gordon’s national representation adds to a busy year for the Centenary Heights State High School student who also won selection in the 2018 Darling Downs secondary school Australian Rules squad.
Toleman said while Hanssen had tasted national competition in cross country the emergence of Gordon and Carter was a reward now for their hard work as well.
“Lilly, Jai and Carter have all worked hard and are great role models,” Toleman said.
“Jai has virtually come from nowhere and is being rewarded for this determination.
“Carter is also a wonderful story of achievement.
“He hadn’t even represented Darling Downs previously and is now ranked third in Australia for the under-14 400 metres.”