SALAMANDER Bay hurdles sensation Anna Taylor-Anderson is one out of the box.

The gifted thirteen-year-old sprinter has left her mark in the world of athletics this year with superb performances at major track and field events nationwide.

All eyes are on the versatile Tomaree High School student as she prepares for the upcoming NSW Secondary All Schools Athletics Championships to be staged at Homebush from September 28 to October 2.

Anna, a star pupil at Port Stephens Athletics Club, will test her skills when she lines up against the finest schoolgirl athletes across the state in the 80m hurdles, long jump and 100m sprint events.

Not only is Taylor-Anderson one of the best young prospects to emerge from the region but also one of the toughest competitors to lace up her spikes.

At the recent NSW Combined High Schools Championships at Sydney Olympic Park, the boom sprinter collected a silver medal in the 80m hurdles and teamed up with her talented Tomaree High School colleagues Maebel Colley, Mia McDonald and Kylah Rankin to bring home bronze in the Under 13yrs 4 x 100m Relay final.

What made the accomplishment more special was that Anna sprained her ankle the night before the finals but showed sheer courage and fierce determination to overcome adversity and earn a podium spot.

Hampered by the injury, she defied the odds to clock a personal best time of 13.03 sec – producing one of her bravest sprints to finish second behind rising Westfield Sports High athlete Alexis Mathison (12.53 sec).

“Anna is a fierce competitor on the track with a strong work ethic and will to win,” leading Port Stephens athletics coach Bob Walkley told News Of The Area.

“Her never-say-die approach and positive mindset are wonderful traits to have and helped her achieve those medals,” revealed the experienced mentor.

“After Anna sprained her ankle on the eve of the final we had to get it strapped by the first aid attendant before the race but it didn’t deter her as she pushed the top ranked Alexis all the way to earn a silver medal,” exclaimed Bob.

Mathison (12.73 sec) and Taylor-Anderson (13.24 sec) set the quickest times in the heats before their cracking duel for the hurdles title.

Anna, Maebel, Mia and Kylah recorded the third fastest time in the 4 x 100m Relay heats before grabbing a bronze medal behind eventual winner Westfields Sports High and second placed Endeavour Sports High School.

Having recovered from her ankle injury, a steely eyed Anna is planning to snare more medals at the NSW All Schools Carnival and qualify for the National All Schools Track & Field Championships to be held in Brisbane during December.

By Chris KARAS