By JARROD POTTER
Hoping her summer success leads into next season, Springvale Little Athletics Centre track and field star Emmanuella Chaliker leaped into the record books.
Chaliker, 12, from Cranbourne, only got into the sport on the suggestion of a teacher … a fatefully brilliant idea.
A hop, step and a jump later, Chaliker earned her inaugural state gold medal on her local track with a 10.48m leap at Little Athletics Victoria State Track and Field Championships in March.
When she heard the number called out by the marshals, she was left stunned and with no one surpassing her best attempt, Chaliker was speechless when she accepted her first state title.
“I didn’t believe it at first, but I was happy,” Chaliker said.
“State gold in triple jump, my first state gold, so it was really good.”
It’s been a rapid rise in the sport for Chaliker, who hadn’t thought about competing athletically at all two years ago.
“About two years – a teacher from my primary school – St Joseph’s – told me I had talent and I tried out for Springvale Little Athletics club,” Chaliker said.
“I mainly like triple jump – ’cause it’s fun and easy – and some 200m events, hurdles and sprints.”
Her coach Corey Pendry from Pendry’s Development Squad was thrilled to see Chaliker up the ante at the state meet with a massive personal best in the most technical field event.
“It was a big shock to everyone when Emmanuella won state because the week before that at the Springvale meet she jumped 10.20m, then jumped another 28-centimetre PB at state to pull it out of the woodwork,” Pendry said.
“In two weeks she cracked a 10, not once but three times, so she peaked at the right time.
“At that stage I was watching other athletes and ran over to congratulate her … so it was just an amazing day for her to actually win for the first time ever.
“Most amazing experience she’s ever had as she finished second at regionals – I think she beat the state champion that won last year, so that was an amazing effort too.”
Chaliker finished fifth in the 70m sprint final, sixth in the 100m to round out the stellar meet at Casey Fields.
She’s also the Killester College school athletics year seven champion and proudly showed off a sash for her achievements to cap off the 2015-16 summer athletics season.
She hopes to carry her strong form into 2017 as she eyes off further success in the track and field arena.
She wanted to thank coach Corey for helping her improve throughout the season and reach the top of the podium.
