Putting it to the competition

ELEVEN-year-old athlete Alexis Farrell is making the small St Mary’s Primary School community in Clarkes Hill proud.

The young Pootilla-based shot-putter and discus thrower will represent Victoria at the School Sport Australia Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre in November and December.

At the recent team trials at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne, the grade 5 student placed first in discus with a throw of 25.09 metres in windy conditions, and placed second in shot put – her favourite event – with a throw of 10.77 metres.

“It’s very exciting for me and for my school,” said Alexis, who trains with Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics.

“Competing at a state level is hard, but the competition is professional which pushes me.

“I enjoying talking to people and making friends there; it makes the competition so much easier.”

Alexis’ mum Nadia Farrell said her daughter being at a small rural school doesn’t mean she misses out on any opportunities.

“Alexis has competed in school sports with a number of other Sovereign schools to advance to regionals,” she said.

“Regionals were held at Llanberris (Ballarat) on 12 September where she competed for the Sovereign Division.

“Alexis’s main dream has been to make the Vic Team where can proudly wear the blue uniform and train with the other 139 athletes.”

Alexis has been competing for five years, and her personal bests are 11.05 metres in the two-kilogram shotput and 25.46 metres in the 750-gram discus.

“She has had training in the winter with her volunteer coach Leon Whitehand, who is very involved in Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics where she competes,” Mrs Farrell said.