Tyniah narrowly misses medal

SPRINTER Tyniah Thompson continues to impress on the big stage, missing a medal but finishing fifth in the 100m final at the Australian Athletics Championships on the weekend.

The shy youngster entered the Sydney tie in career-best form and clocked one of her better times to improve on last year’s nationals, when she failed to make the final.

Thompson ran home in a touch over 13 seconds, elating her coach and endorsing her reputation as a blooming talent.

“We were very happy with that, it’s another big improvement,” coach Sarah-Jane Redshaw said.

“Fifth in Australia is nothing to laugh at and with every big tournament she will only get better.”

The youngster’s physique is what has her coach so excited with her prospects.

“She is still growing; she’s going to be a tall girl and with every national meet her confidence just sky rockets.”

Unlike some modern day sprinters who are overflowing with arrogance and attitude, Thompson is quiet and subdued in her nature.

But her coach says the method works, and is not looking to tinker.

“She doesn’t really interact with the other girls on the track, just keeps to herself, stays focussed and runs the race,” Redshaw said.

Fellow Bundaberg sprinter James Quinn had a disappointing campaign by his standards, running in eighth in the 100m under-14 boys final.

He could not hold his form in the strong head wind, and ran 11.92 seconds.

Despite his anguish, Quinn’s progress in a debut season has put him on the map.

Another Bundaberg sprinter to fall short in the final was Georgia Devlin.

The beach sprint star ran in seventh in the 200m and sixth in the 400m, with a time of 58.02 seconds.

Bargara’s Richard Lawton came eighth in the under-17 boys 800m, while Ainsley Ackermann was seventh in the under-20 triple jump.