A Frensham student has set her sights on competing at the Commonwealth Games.
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Paige Wilson, 17, has proved herself as a talented high-jumper after she switched from equestrian to athletics four years ago.
Paige’s parents Sue Moss- Wilson and David Wilson are national titleholders in Australian stock horse events and camp drafting, and up until the age of 13, Paige won various national and state equestrian titles.
But when she started at Frensham in 2012, she decided to focus on athletics and high jump.
Under the guidance of coach Michael Hamlyn-Harris, Paige has won three national high jump titles.
She won her first title at Townsville in 2014, her second in 2015 at Melbourne and her third last year at Canberra. During these competitions she also set new high jump records and secured state titles.
Paige also competed with the Australian team for Youth Commonwealth in the under-18 high jump where she placed third.
With a personal best of 1.84 metres, Paige is just 4cm off the Commonwealth qualifier.
To qualify for the Olympics, Paige must be ranked first or second in Australia.
Last year in the high-jump Australian rankings, she held fifth position.
the 17-year-old will compete at the Australian Athletics Championships in April where she will compete in the under-20s high jump.
Paige said she hoped to secure another top ranking at the event.
“My goals for the future are to make the Australian team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as well as hopefully being apart of many Australian teams,” she said.
“The Olympics have always been a dream of mine and I am looking towards the next two games being a possibility.”
Paige said Frensham School had provided her with a great support base over the years.
“Frensham has done a lot for me through helping me with my academics and supporting me with my athletics,” she said.
“Ms Gillick and Mr Marsh have helped me manage my training and their encouragement has been amazing.”