John’s high, mighty leap: Seton student breaks high jump record

The Seton Catholic College student broke a 19-year-old State record at the recent Associated Catholic Colleges of WA carnival where he cleared 2.01m in the high jump.

The personal best jump improved his Australian age ranking to second and, together with strong showings in other track and field events, earned the 16-year-old the open boys championship title.

The win was another gong to add to his six State athletics titles and his bronze from the National Junior Athletics Championships in March.

Chegwidden is part of a talented group of athletes training with the Phoenix Park Little Athletics Club.

The club was recently given a $1500 Macca’s junior sports grant, which president Adrian Chegwidden said would keep the club strong.

“Next season we have been advised fees will rise significantly from last year and parents are already starting to indicate that it will be difficult to find the money to encourage their children to do athletics,” he said.

“The grant will help us offset registration fees and the significant costs of uniforms, giving kids in the community a more affordable opportunity to experience the sport.”