Noosa Athletics Rhonda Byrnes has returned from the Melanesian Championships in Vanuatu with a Gold Medal in the Women’s 100m hurdles. This continues a Noosa tradition of athletes representing Australia in the Pacific Championships. “Competing overseas has given me valuable experience in adjusting to differences in climate and track conditions while still putting together a good race” said the 20-year-old hurdles specialist who also competed at the Commonwealth Games trials earlier in the year. For Noosa Head Coach Mick Hooper, the Pacific regional competitions are an important stepping stone towards further international representation. Fellow hurdler Samantha Johnson competed at the Oceania Championships in 2015 and is now heading to the prestigious World U20 Championships in Finland in July along with training partner Zane Branco. After a well-earned training break, Byrnes will be back on the track striving to lower her 100m and hurdle times in preparation for the Australian Athletics Championships in March 2019.
