The rising stars of Australian athletics kick-started six days of championship action in Brisbane today, with sprinter Maya Taber laying down a marker that teased a historic weekend ahead at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
The 16-year-old Taber (NSW) torched the Under 18 Girls 100m Final in a new personal best of 11.36 (+1.0) when tearing away from her rivals in the back half of the race, going from strength-to-strength as part of the nation’s sprinting resurgence.
Bettering her previous best of 11.43-seconds, Taber clocked the equal third fastest time by an Australian woman this year, setting the tone for the championships.
“I’m feeling really good! I was a bit nervous but I got a really good start, and I just got up and into my work,” Taber said.
“It’s nice to see the improvement coming and I have worked hard for a whole year to train for this race, so it’s good to know it’s all paid off.
“I’m doing the 200m as well, hopefully I can run sub-23.”
The Under 18 Boys 100m Final was won by Paul Ehioghae (WA) in 10.49 (+1.0) to nail the 10.50-second World Athletics Under 20 Championships qualifying standard, opening a family affair in Brisbane which will also feature his sisters Emmanuella and Charlotte.
The middle-distance action was headlined by Mia Jade Gray (VIC) who stretched away from Helena Butler (QLD) in a grandstand finish of the Under 18 Girls 3000m, clocking 9:36.84 to Butler’s 9:37.77, while Zach Heffernan (QLD) was a big winner in the Under 17 Boys 3000m – posting a time of 8:31.87 to win by almost 10-seconds.
In the Para-athletics ranks, World Para Athletics Championships representatives Lexie Brown (NSW, T47) and Makayla Elcoate (QLD, T44) were among the names returning to the junior ranks, where Zac Harding (NSW, T36) impressed to take out the Under 20 Boys 100m Para in 13.18 (+0.6) – a score of 88.92 on the BASELINE system.
Racing with a new prosthetic arm, the 14-year-old Brown clinched bronze behind Lara Pearson (VIC, T20) and Ayla Kowalczyk (NSW, T38) in the Under 17 Girls 100m Para – the Nambucca Heads product enjoying her time in Brisbane.
“It’s purple for my favourite colour and it’s really helping me getting that drive into my running. I love the challenge and I can tell it’s going to get better as I keep going,” Brown said.
“If you haven’t watched Para-athletics yet, you should come have a look at everyone. They’re so great at what they do!”
Adding to the action in the field, pole vaulter Jamison Harding (VIC) cruised over 3.77m to secure her first Australian title of the weekend before turning her attention to the Under 20 ranks, while Lily Woods (QLD) leapt 12.38m to be crowned the Under 17 Girls Triple Jump champion.
The 2026 Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships will continue tomorrow at 9:00am AEST, with Australian viewers able to tune in via 7plus from 11:30am AEST.
Full entries, results and timetables are available HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 15/4/2026
