Year 12 student Annie McGuire and Year 11 student Madison Wells know its all about work ethic and determination if you want to succeed. Thank you to the QT for sharing their story. You can read the full story below, or visit the QT Website (subscriber content).
Lockyer District Athletic Club achievers (from left) Madison Wells, Hayley Reynolds, Caitlin Taylor and Annie McGuire have been selected to represent Queensland at national school championships.
Lockyer club's quality highlighted in latest achievers
IT'S all about work ethic and determination if you want to succeed.
That's the view of experienced Lockyer District Athletic Club coach Bailey Pashley, who is excited about his current group of progressive competitors.
Long jumper Annie McGuire is aiming for next year's World University Games after setting a meet record with a personal best leap at the recent Queensland Secondary Schools competition.
McGuire, 17, overcome the bitter disappointment of missing Australia's Youth Olympic team to excel in her first major competition of the new season.
"Annie displayed her talent with a magnificent leap of 6.14m to eclipse the 16 year record,'' Pashley said.
"This was special because her training was limited for the month before with a serious foot injury which required rest.
However, still competing with some pain, her technique and strength won her the title for the event.''
The West Moreton Anglican year 12 student also turned on her blistering pace to win a bronze medal in the 100m final.
McGuire will be joined by training partners Madison Wells, Hayley Reynolds and Caitlin Taylor in Cairns when the Queensland team contests the All Schools national titles from December 7-9.
Wells, also a WestMAC student, was unlucky.
She was relegated to second in her new event, the 400m hurdles, by just two-hundredths of a second at the state school titles.
Wells later won another silver medal in the long jump, missing the win by one centimetre.
"There was a silver lining for Madison as both events produced excellent personal best efforts,'' Pashley said.
"She also showed her versatility with a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles''.
Wells will represent Queensland in the 400m hurdles and long jump in Cairns.
Reynolds was selected to compete in the long jump with Taylor picked for multiple events.
McGuire, Reynolds and Taylor will also line up for Queensland in the relay events.
Faith Lutheran College duo Reynolds and Taylor won gold medals in the long jump.
Reynolds' 5.59m effort and Taylor's 5.50m leap were improved performances.
Reynolds also came third in the 200m final.
Taylor won the 100m final and collected a 200m silver.
Another Lockyer District club athlete and Faith Lutheran College competitor also shared in the medals.
Mitchell Mellor, 18, won a bronze in the 400 metre final with his best time of 50.02 seconds.
Mellor's age group does not compete at the National All Schools competition.
Pashley was also keeping a close eye on the progress of 10-year-old Laidley athlete Emily Jackwitz.
After only training for a few weeks, she made a six centimetre improvement in her high jump event, winning a silver medal at the Primary School State Championships in Cairns.
She was chosen for the Queensland primary school team.
After four testing days of competition at the recent state school events, Pashley said his leading athletes deserved a well-earnt week's recovery.
However, they will soon be back working hard chasing more goals in the future.
Cycle of success motivation
LOCKYER District Athletic Club achievers have plenty to strive for with Queensland association events coming up, leading up to the nationals in Sydney and Oceania championships in Townsville next year.
"The outstanding outcomes by these athletes is resultant on innate talents and their ambitions to succeed,'' coach Bailey Pashley said.
"They train hard at all sessions 4-5 days a week as well as travelling to Brisbane for regular competitions.
"I applaud their dedication to all developmental aspect of their events.
"Add this to their fitness and strength programs it is no wonder they are not only state but national emerging athletes.
"They are a very supportive and a social group backed by a network of parents and grandparents who regularly attend competitions.
"They are in the mould of inspirationalist Anthony Robbins, who preaches the Cycle of Success is potential plus belief plus action plus results.''
Story: David Lems, QT
Photo: Lockyer District Athletic Club achievers (from left) Madison Wells, Hayley Reynolds, Caitlin Taylor and Annie McGuire have been selected to represent Queensland at national school championships. Supplied by: Sharyn Wells.