By MICHELLE MOORE
SAMANTHA Johnson, 15, has been selected to compete in the under-18 women’s 100m hurdles as part of an Australian team of 58 that will compete at the 2015 Oceania Athletics Championships, to be held in Cairns from 8 to 10 May.
A Year 11 Good Shepherd Lutheran College student, Samantha has been competing at school athletics and Little Athletics state and national championships since the age of 10, when she received a scholarship to join Little Athletics Noosa.
“Samantha was identified as an athlete with potential to excel in the sport from an early age,” said Little Athletics Noosa coaching director Mick Hooper.
“Her commitment to training and continued enthusiasm for athletics has not only made her easy to coach but she has also become a great role model for our younger club members.”
Earlier this year Samantha won silver medals in the 100m and 100m hurdles at the Queensland Junior Athletics championships followed by a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles in a time of 14.45 seconds at the Australian Junior Athletics championships. This, however, will be the first time she has represented Australia in an athletics championships.
“I really love athletics and being able to compete for Australia is just amazing,” Samantha said. “This is just an awesome way to finish off my season.”
