ALMOST 300 students from throughout North Queensland lined up at the Bendigo Bank Student Invitational Track and Field Carnival at Barlow Park at the weekend.
Representing their respective primary and secondary schools, students gained points from their performances throughout the two-day carnival in a bid to win $500 sporting good vouchers for their schools.
Schools were placed in three categories depending on their number of enrolled students with St Theresa’s of Ravenshoe (1-199 students), Innisfail’s Goondi State School (200-499) and Freshwater State School (500-plus) claiming the vouchers. There were many standout performers over the two days, including Innisfail High’s Jason Strano who took everything on offer, winning the 13-year boys 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 90m hurdles events as well as the high jump and long jump.
Also in a hungry mood was Strano’s sister Hayley who won the 200m, 400m, 800m, 60m hurdles and long jump honours and finished second in the 100m and high jump in 11-year girls competition.
Her efforts were matched by girls’ 10-years competitor Estelle King of Freshwater Christian College who won the 100m and 200m sprints, high jump, long jump and shot put and a second placing in the 60m hurdles.
Talented 12-year girls’ Hambledon State School starlet Daijah Martens (100m, 400m, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus) also shone over the two days. Matthew Cheeseman (9), Stuart Fogells (8), Brenton Goebel (11), Liam Spannenburg (13) and Nick Cooper (14) also impressed among the other multiple title winners.
