Tasmania may be small in population but it continues to produce some of the most exciting young athletes in the country. This year, they arrive in Melbourne for the Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships with a powerful blend of undefeated champions, World Under 20 Championships potentials and rising talents ready to make their mark.
From dominant throwers to middle-distance stars and Paralympic champions in the making, here are the Tasmanians to keep an eye on this weekend at Lakeside Stadium.
Arielle Canell
School: Guilford Young College
Club: Eastern Suburbs Athletics Club
Coach: John Eden
Event: U18 Hammer Throw
She’s been a force in the junior throwing ranks for years and now Arielle Cannell enters All SChools with one of the most remarkable records in the country – she has not once been beaten in underage hammer throw competition. Often competing (and winning!) against older age groups, the Guildford Young College student now looks to close out her All Schools career with one final, fitting victory. Can she do it? We think so!
Ashley Fehlberg
School: Marist College
Club: North West Athletics Club
Coach: Daniel Reeves
Event: U18 800m and 1500m
Fresh off a breakthrough bronze in the U18 800m at the Australian Athletics Junior Championships in Perth this year, Ashley Fehlberg has already opened the new season with a PB World U20 Championships qualifying performance when racing to 2:08.05 in the 800m at the Tasmanian All Schools Championships in Launceston last month. Coached by Daniel Reeves, Ash is shaping as a serious contender in both events as she looks to impress selectors ahead of Eugene next year and as she looks to continue her momentum from her first race of the season.
Violet Owen
School: The Friends’ School
Club: Sandy Bay Harriers
Coach: Susan Andrews
Event: U17 800m and 1500m
Consistency is Violet’s calling card. Violet Owen has medalled every single year in both the 800m and 1500m at All Schools and this year she has added a World Under 20 qualifier to her list of achievements. With a lifetime best of 2:07.46 in the 800m – a time that puts her above the rest – and a 4:26.86 in the 1500m, both from the Australian Athletics Championships, Violet is ready to step up on the big stage again and show what she can do.
Samuel Lindsay
School: St Patrick’s College
Club: Newstead Athletics
Coach: Bob Cruise
Event: U18 5000m Race Walk
A multiple national medallist in the race walk, Samuel Lindsay returns to the All Schools stage with his sights set on more than just the podium – he’s targeting a World Under 20 Championships qualifying standard. The Newstead Athletics Club has a PB of 20:32.63 from the National Championships in Perth this year and knows how to use big events to deliver something special.
Archie Dixon
School: Sacred Heart College
Club: Hobart / Eastern Suburbs Athletics Club
Coach: Susan Andrews
Event: U17 Para 800m
Since returning to Tasmania 12 months ago, Archie Dixon has delivered a string of standout performances, including gold in the 400m and 800m, and silver in the 1500m at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth earlier this year. The young para middle-distance talent is eyeing another big run at All Schools to add to his collection and with just one event to focus on, there’s every chance he’s got this in the bag!
Levi Kara
School: Calvin Christian School
Club: Old Virgilians Athletics Club
Coach: Rob Mazey
Event: U17 100m and 200m
In just his first season of athletics, Levi Kara is quickly making a name of himself and has gone from strength to strength over the past six weeks alone. With best times of 11:11 (a lucky number, we reckon!) and 22.96 this season, Levi has the speed and trajectory to be a finals contender – and possibly a surprise packet – in both sprints.
Lewis Thorpe
School: St Aloyisius Catholic College
Club: Old Virgilians Athletics Club
Coach: Roger Hosie
Event: U15 Javelin and Discus
Competing on the All Schools stage for the very first time, Lewis Thorpe brings strong form as he steps up from the Australian Little Athletics Championships. With podium credentials in both the javelin and discus at younger age levels, the 14-year-old will be aiming to turn those results into national medals as he gets his season underway.
The Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships run from December 4-7, with tickets available for purchase HERE.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 1/12/2025
