Kyneton teen Hailey Stubbs has come away with a silver medal and seventh placing at the Athletics Australia National Championships in Sydney.
Representing Victoria, the 13-year-old Sacred Heart College student was thrilled to win the silver in the Under 15 Girls Hammer Throw and a seventh in the Under 17 Girls Hammer Throw – an incredible effort in her first year at the national competition.
In the Under 15 event, on March 27, Hailey held second place from her first throw and dropped back to third during the final round.
She then had her fourth and final throw and reclaimed second place with a new personal best of 44.26 metres an improvement of a staggering 5.25 metres on her previous best!
The Kyneton Little Athletics Club and Bendigo Harriers Athletics Club member travelled back to Sydney on March 31 so she could compete in the Under 17 Hammer event.
Hailey said that she went into the Under 17 Hammer competition with the intention of making into the top eight and was thrilled to finish in seventh place.
“I achieved my goal and I am extremely proud. I would like to thank my family and my coach Leanne Hume for all their support in getting me to this point. It is amazing,” Hailey said.
The achievement is impressive considering the young athlete has only been competing in the hammer throw for less than 12 months, having previous competed in shot put and discus.
She was delighted to also be recognised at the recent Bendigo Athletics awards evening picking up a number of accolades including the Under 14 Women’s Champion honours in the discus, shot put and hammer; record certificates for record throw achievements at Bendigo and Homebush, an award for being a Bendigo Athletics Region Rising Star Award Nominee, and the prestigious Anne Flack Memorial Junior Female Award.
Congratulations Hailey on an amazing season.
