SALAMANDER Bay’s Anna Taylor has been crowned the fastest schoolgirl hurdler in the state.
Competing at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships last weekend, the 15-year-old pocket rocket stole the limelight with a gold medal-winning performance in the Girls 16 years 100m hurdles final at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.
In a tremendous feat, an ailing Anna rose from her sick bed to claim the title in a personal best time of 15.04 seconds and stamp herself a rising star of the track.
The Port Stephens Athletics Centre girl was stricken with illness on the eve of the championships, but showed her recuperative powers to clock sizzling times in her heat and final.
Anna demonstrated her hurdles prowess with a cracking time of 15.27 sec to win her heat comfortably before backing it up with another super effort the following day.
Both of Anna’s times meet the qualification mark for this year’s National All Schools championships in Perth and 2027 National Junior Athletics titles.
Her long-time coach Bob Walkley had nothing but praise for the gifted Taylor, who is one of the brightest prospects on the NSW track and field scene.
“Anna showed remarkable courage and determination to compete under duress and come away with a hurdles gold medal,” Walkley told News Of The Area.
The NSW All Schools title extends her unbeaten streak over the 90m and 100m sprint hurdles.
It was a second state title for the quicksilver Taylor this year after recently helping Tomaree High School win the 15 yrs Girls 4 x 100m Relay championship.
Rising St John Paul College Coffs Harbour athlete Evie Hill clinched the 100m hurdles silver medal with a time of 15.07 sec, with Alyssa Wallbank of James Sheahan Catholic High School in Orange claiming the bronze in a time of 15.39 sec.
There is no rest for the dedicated Taylor as she continues her intensive training program under the astute Walkley in preparation for the National All Schools Athletics Championships from December 4 to 6 at the WA Athletics Stadium in Perth.
By Chris KARAS
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