A DARLEY sprinter almost upstaged her much older and more experienced rivals as she claimed fourth in a 100-metre sprint at the recent Stawell Gift carnival.
Despite slipping slightly on the blocks in the final of the Little Athletics girls handicap, Rachel Jackson, 11, performed admirably as she competed against girls up to four years older.
The Bacchus Marsh Grammar student qualified for the event by recording a competitive time at Bacchus Marsh Athletics Club in the lead-up to the Easter meet.
“I was really happy with my run, although I had trouble with my start,” Rachel said.
“There was a huge crowd there watching so I was a little nervous.”
After winning her heat comfortably, Rachel’s 18-metre handicap was cut back to 16 metres for the final.
Rachel turned to sprinting only in the past few years after starting out in cross-country.
She will spend her $50 prize on running gear as she chases her goal of becoming a professional runner.
