'Crazy': WA schoolgirl breaks sprint record set by Raelene Boyle 57 years ago
Another emerging Australian sprinter has announced herself by shattering the under-18 national women's record for the 100 metres set by the legendary Raelene Boyle at the Mexico City 1968 Olympics.
A 17-year-old West Australian schoolgirl by the name of Leah O'Brien clocked 11.14 seconds in the final at the national junior athletics championships in Perth on Tuesday, aided by a gusty but legal tailwind of +1.7 metres per second.
She bettered the 11.20 seconds posted by Boyle in Mexico 57 years ago.
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She also moved level with Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson on the Australian all-time open 100m list, placing herself equal fourth with the hurdling champion.
Only Torrie Lewis (11.10 seconds), Melissa Breen (11.11) and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor (11.12) have run quicker than the schoolgirl.
O'Brien is now also ranked ninth on the world under-18 list.
Leah O'Brien in action in her record-breaking run in Perth. Australian Athletics
"It's around the time that the open girls run which is crazy to be running that still in high school," O'Brien said.
"A lot of my family and friends are here. This is definitely the most support I have ever had. It's so great to experience this moment with the people I love and share the happiness.
"I think I have really put my name out there and hopefully I can be in contention for [global] teams in the future."
Earlier in the championships, O'Brien won the 200m in a personal best of 23.37 seconds.
Leah O'Brien was in a state of disbelief after clocking 11.14 seconds. Australian Athletics
Queensland schoolgirl Thewbelle Philps emerged off the bend with the lead, but with a long stride and a high knee lift, O'Brien shot past and streaked away on the straight.
She recorded a 200m personal best despite battling a headwind of -1.1 metres per second.
O'Brien will return to WA Athletics Stadium this week to compete in the open 100m, taking on the likes of Lewis, Bree Rizzo (née) and Ebony Lane.
In O'Brien, Lewis, Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy, Australia has a host of precociously talented sprinters on the rise ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
