Cessnock's Jayden Gontier is a young man who prefers to let his actions do his talking.
The 10-year-old shot putter, from St Philip's Christian College, Cessnock, will represent the state at the upcoming Australian School Sports Assocation at Homebush, from November 25-29, after winning bronze at the recent NSW school sports championship.
Jayden is the toast of the school as the first student from his school to compete at the national track and field titles.
The year four student set a personal best of 10.29 metres but is still perplexed by all the fuss and a little embarrassed by his new found celebrity status at the school.
His mum Melissa said the extent of his achievement probably didn’t register until he returned to school.
“The school jubilation at his achievement when Jayden returned to school last Friday was astounding,” she said.
“You could not wipe the smile off the school principal Darren Cox’s face. It was only then that it really sank into Jayden as to what he has achieved.”
The school’s head of sport Daniel Gardner said Jayden was a natural sportsman representing the Hunter in rugby union.
“To achieve what he has in shot put with not formal training is incredible. He is just a natural sportsman,” Gardner said.
