Minimbah School’s Shae-Leigh Vale made an impact on athletics when she smashed three records and won five medals at last month’s NSW Combined Independent Schools championships in Sydney.
Shae-Leigh has autism and competed in para-athletics at her first ever state event.
She only started competing in school athletics events this year and took to the field in the 100 metre, 200 metre, discus, shot put and long jump events.
From those events, she broke the CIS record in the discus, and the two running events.
She picked up three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal in total.
Mum Traci Hyatt said it was an amazing experience for the young athlete and she was incredibly proud to see Shae-Leigh snag as many medals as she did.
"We are really proud of her,” she said.
"She is a bit of an all-rounder, she loves touch and loves cricket so she has signed up for both of those but she really loves her athletics.
"Her choice, out of all athletics, she loves the discus.
"With her discus, she broke the record at the championships by over two metres, 2.3 metres she broke it by.”
Shae-Leigh is now preparing to take on the rest of the state’s best young athletes at the NSW All Schools carnival on October 19 and 20.
Hyatt said Shae-Leigh is busy training to prepare herself and is excited to continue in athletics in the future.
"Paul Billings who is the Minimbah sports teacher has been training her twice a week, even during the holidays,” she said.
"He is fantastic, he has been a complete inspiration to Shae-Leigh.”
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
