THE North West Region Shield can expect some exciting performances over the next few rounds with three of its athletes returning home after competing in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Sydney’s Homebush Stadium last week.
Keilor St Bernards athletes Rachel Rowe and Steven Caraynnopoulos joined Athletics Essendon competitor Johnny Rayner in a stunning debut at the meet, which came complete with its own opening ceremony and lighting of the Olympic flame.
While none of the three former Keilor Little Athletics teammates managed to walk away with a medal, their performances were indicative of great things to come.
Track enthusiast Rayner can now boast being the fourth fastest Under 18 800m runner in the world, running a heart-thumping 1.59.16mins to finish just behind fellow Australian Lee Berry.
Fifteen-year-old Rowe also narrowly missed out on a medal in the ladies triple jump, racking up a respectable fourth with a jump of 11.67m.
Back on the track, Caraynnopoulos ran a scorching 14.89 seconds in a close 110m hurdles final and crossed the line at fifth.
The feat is a considerably large one, with Caraynnopoulos qualifying for the event when he placed fourth at the 2006 Australian All Schools and Youth Athletics Championships without any prior hurdles training.
The trio were among 1600 athletes from around the world to be selected to compete in the biennial meet, which provides a great opportunity for selectors to gauge the talent of future generations.
