Claiming a silver medal at the 2017 Pacific School Games is an achievement in its own right, however in Naylise Thompson’s case it also doubles as a big deal for her school.
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The Year 5 student is the first from Wellington Public School to compete, let alone place, at the national competition held in Adelaide last week.
Thompson placed second in the Under 10s Long Jump Multiclass section with a distance of 3.23 metres, doubling as her personal best. She was runner-up to fellow NSW competitor, Odesza Toia who claimed gold with 3.45 metres.
Thompson said she was excited to bring home a medal, having exceeded her expectations against some of Australia’s best up and coming athletes.
“My goal was to get no fouls and to jump as far as I can,” she said.
Wellington Public School relieving principal, Debbie McCreadie, said the school is thrilled to have a representative compete at nationals.
“Naylise is the first student from our school to participate in the Pacific School Games held in Adelaide,” Ms McCreadie said.
Naylise is the first student from our school to participate in the Pacific School Games held in Adelaide.
- Debbie McCreadie
“We were thrilled that she was given this opportunity.
“Naylise received a medal for participating and I’m sure the experience of mixing with around 4000 other children from Australia and around the world will be something she remembers for many years.”
Thompson’s journey to nationals stemmed from the school athletics carnival in Wellington where she qualified in several events to proceed onto District, Western and State.
Thompson competed in six events in the NSW PSSA Under 10s Multiclass competition where she placed seventh in the 100m, eighth in 200m, eighth in 800m, fourth in discus and fourth in shot put.
A second placing in long jump qualified her for the Pacific School Games.
