NORTH Nowra Public School now has another dynamic duo.
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Athlete with a disability Karlee Symonds and her last minute partner year six student Victoria Kennedy sizzled the track at the recent NSW PSSA state carnival at Sydney Olympic Park in the 800 metres.
Karlee’s time in the event was three minutes 53 seconds – a personal best time.
Karlee and Victoria have now qualified for the School Sport Australia National Athletics Championships at Brisbane on November 23.
“I want that gold medal,” super competitive Karlee said.
However, she then added that winning was not the most important thing as participation, having fun and being proud of your efforts no matter the result were also important.
Victoria ended up running after Karlee’s regular partner Sandra Coyte suffered an injury.
Victoria, a fantastic athlete in her own right, was at Olympic Park to support her friend.
She jumped at the chance to compete.
“I just like helping my friends when they need me,” Victoria said.
The partnership had a lighter moment – one the girls laugh about now.
It was all about talking.
Victoria was trying to encourage Karlee who did not need encouragement.
A “please stop talking to me” from Karlee who was focused on her running and breathing was needed and then off they went at a blistering pace around the track.
Karlee’s athletic record is impeccable.
Karlee has a Paralympic classification of TF12 for vision impairment and requires a guide runner for her events.
The division she runs in is called AWD – athletes with a disability.
At the NSW PSSA state carnival she was a busy girl.
She got personal best in the shot put, 200m and 800 with Victoria.
Karlee ran the 200m with Mrs Coyte.
Victoria will travel to Brisbane with Karlee and her family for the national athletics event.