Terang youngster Caytlyn Sharp has broken her own Australian under 18 record for long jump with a leap of 4.51 metres at the Athletics Australia Track and Field National Championships in Sydney.
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Sharp was competing in the open division para long jump event when she broke the record.
The 16-year-old was up against tough opposition and missed out on a medal but has enjoyed a successful week at the championships.
On Monday she finished fourth in the 100 metre para under 20 race.
Sharp, who is more highly credentialled in high jump, was surprised to do so well in the sprint.
Her mum Cindy McDougall said it was an outstanding feat to reach the final at national level.
"It's really rare for athletes with Cayty's classification to make the final of the sprints," she said.
"When that happens it's such a big, proud moment.
"For her and another T20 to make the final is just amazing."
Sharp said she was excited to make the final but admitted she was disappointed to miss out on a medal.
The year 11 Terang College student also competed in junior long jump and the 200 metre para under 20 event at Sydney's Olympic Park Athletics Centre this week.
Jeremy Dixon, who has been coaching Sharp for the past nine months, said she travelled to Warrnambool three times a week for training.
He said Sharp was starting to reap the rewards of her hard work.
"She is starting to apply those training techniques in competition which is really good," he said.
The next big competition on Sharp's radar is the Arafura Games in Darwin which start on April 26.
She said the international event was a great opportunity to practice for the INAS Global Games later in the year.
The INAS Global Games - to be held in Brisbane in October - are the world's biggest sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
"That's where I'll do the high jump, triple jump and maybe 200 metres," she said.
"It's my biggest competition for this year."
Sharp enjoyed stunning success when she won the women's high jump at the INAS Athletics World Championships in Bangkok at 15 years of age.
After the global games she will turn her attention to the all schools event which will be held in Perth in December.
Related: Caytlyn Sharp is becoming a leader
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