New heights score PB and medal for Evelyn

FLYING Bacchus Marsh schoolgirl Evelyn Grant has jumped higher than ever before to get among the medals at the 2026 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships.

Competing last week at the national event in Brisbane, 11-year-old Evelyn claimed bronze in the Girls Under-12 High Jump, clearing a personal best height of 1.50m.

The young Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre member cleared every height on her first attempt before narrowly missing at 1.52m.

“I felt really good after it because it’s a PB for me,” Evelyn said.

“I’ve usually only jumped a little bit less than 150 (cm).

“At this height the bar comes up to about my eyes. I was thinking, am I going to clear this? I was just feeling excitement and looking forward to seeing if I could get a PB.”

On day two of the Australian Little Athletics Championships, Evelyn also delivered a strong performance in the Girls Under-12 Javelin, throwing a personal best of 27.24 metres to place eighth in her division.

Now looking forward to competing in both high jump and discus in the upcoming school sports at district level, the year 6 pupil at Bacchus Marsh Primary has her hopes set on making the school nationals to be held at Albert Park later this year.

“It’s good inspiration for the school sports,” she said of her nationals result as she prepared to board a plane to come home.

BMLAC records and ranking officer Linda Thompson praised Evelyn’s atttitude to competing at national level.

“Her composure and consistency throughout the competition were a true reflection of her hard work and determination,” Thompson said.

“It has been wonderful to see Evie’s confidence grow as the season has progressed.

“She is now stepping onto the big stage with belief in her ability and continues to improve with every competition.”