A Sunshine Coast schoolboy has broken two Australian records and one Queensland record at the Little Athletics Queensland State Championships in Brisbane, delivering one of the standout performances of the event.
Record-Breaking Performance in Brisbane
At the Little Athletics Queensland State Championships, more than 2,000 athletes from 76 clubs competed, with 11-year-old Rylan Wooster producing one of the strongest results across the meet.
Competing just days before his 11th birthday, the Sunshine Coast runner set Australian records in the 1500 metres and 800 metres, and a Queensland record in the 400 metres. His performance across all three events placed him among the top achievers at the championships.
In the 1500m, he recorded a time of 4:35.76, taking 10 seconds off the previous national record. He followed with 2:15.29 in the 800m, improving the previous best by 1.23 seconds. In the 400m, he finished in 1:00.05, breaking the Queensland record by 1.59 seconds.
Building Momentum on the Sunshine Coast
Rylan’s development in athletics has accelerated in recent years, following earlier success in cross country. His transition into middle-distance running has seen steady progress through structured competition and regular training.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, he trains under experienced coaching guidance, with a focus on quality sessions. Observations from coaching staff highlight his ability to apply consistent effort and respond well to instruction during training and competition.
Regular participation in Little Athletics has also contributed to his growth, with weekly competition providing opportunities to refine performance and gain race experience.
Balancing Athletics and AFL Ambitions
Alongside his success on the track, Rylan remains active in Australian football through the Maroochy Roos Juniors Australian Football Club. His involvement across both sports reflects a continued interest in developing as a multi-sport athlete.
His long-term ambition includes pursuing AFL, which he continues to balance with his athletics commitments.
Support from his family has been a consistent factor, with his parents managing the schedules of three active children involved in sport.
Growing Interest in Junior Running
Rylan’s results come amid increasing participation in athletics, with junior competition continuing to attract strong numbers across Queensland. The championships also featured other record-breaking performances, reflecting a broader rise in junior competition standards.
Within this environment, performances such as Rylan’s highlight the level of talent emerging through grassroots athletics programs.
Continuing Development
The Sunshine Coast runner’s results at the state championships add to his early achievements in athletics. As he continues competing and training, he remains involved in both running and AFL, with further development expected through ongoing participation in both sports.
Published 5-Apr-2026
