Calrossy teen a speed machine

A move into the high school ranks hasn’t daunted the Calrossy student, who went within a whisker of taking the national double last year and is in top form to go one better this year.

“I got gold and silver last year,” Klasen said.

“I would like to go one better.” 

Since then, the flyer has picked up a swag of gold medals, including the sprint double at her first CIS carnival at the same Homebush track, only a fortnight before taking the All Schools golds.

Klasen left the competition behind to run the fastest 200m time in the qualifying heat on Friday and, while she couldn’t match that again in the final, she did enough for a comfortable victory, also qualifying fastest and winning the 100m final.

Klasen will now head to Melbourne for the National All Schools in December and, with the Little Athletics season starting this week, has her eye on plenty more titles for the season.

Fellow Year Seven Calrossy student William Burnett just missed out on a berth at the Nationals, although only because the  jumping giant is too young after taking silver in the high jump. 

Burnett also placed sixth in the long jump with a mark 20cm short of his best, after also taking gold in both long and high jump at the CIS carnival to qualify.

Burnett recently competed at the state swimming championships in his preferred sport, although is just at home on the rugby field, basketball court or anything else with a score or time.

“I will have another go next year but will focus on swimming until then,” Burnett said.

Other Calrossy students to compete were Ellie New who ran two personal best times in the 800m and 1500m, Sophie Hedley took two top tens in her long and high jump, Nathan Clark qualified and competed in four events including a fourth in high jump, while Grace Barry took sixth in the 3000m and Sharnee Magner tenth in the long jump .