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Student Spotlight: 2026 College Captain Eli - Where Belief Meets the Finish Line
Heart beating…
Blood pumping…
The mind becomes still…
BANG! The runners are off!
These sensations are familiar to 2026 College Captain Eli, who recently represented Australia in the U18 team at the Oceania Athletics Championships. Competing in the 2000m steeplechase in the Top End — Garamilla (Darwin) — it was his first appearance on the international stage. To make the moment even more remarkable, he returned home with a gold medal — a dream he never imagined achieving at such a young age.
“Representing Australia has been a dream of mine for ages, so I’m incredibly grateful. It feels quite surreal to be representing Australia at 17, but I’m really excited to compete at an international level for the first time.”
From a young age, sport has always been part of his identity.
“Sport has always been a huge part of who I am. I began playing AFL up until Year 8 before switching to soccer for a couple of years. Eventually, I decided to prioritise running, focusing on training and competing, which has led me to where I am today.”
Well known within the All Saints’ community as one of the College’s finest cross-country runners — and Cross Country Champion in his age group since arriving at the College in Year 4 — Eli’s passion for athletics itself, however, came more recently.
“I only became interested in athletics in late 2024 and early 2025 once I realised I wanted to pursue running competitively long-term. Before that, my only experience was Little Athletics when I was much younger, and all I really remember is how fun it always was.”
Despite starting competitive athletics later in his teenage years, Eli’s journey has not been without its challenges — most notably, his first major injury.
“I suffered a stress fracture in my lower back, which stopped me from running completely for about six months. It was quite tough both physically and mentally, as the injury was really significant and, at times, I wasn’t sure I’d fully recover or race at the same level again.”
Trusting the process, staying patient, and remaining consistent — both in training and everyday life — is what Eli believes has brought him back stronger than ever.
“When I was younger, I relied on talent to do well. However, as I got older, I realised that talent without constant and consistent work can only get you so far. When you work diligently, you’re bound to achieve success.”
More than anything, belief has been the foundation of Eli’s success.
“If you don’t trust in your own abilities, then you can’t expect to reach your goals. It doesn’t matter if others are sceptical or doubtful — what matters is that you have complete belief in yourself.”
In his final year of schooling, Eli balances ATAR studies, College Captain responsibilities, and elite-level training — a challenge he couldn’t manage alone.
“Balancing ATAR, College Captain responsibilities, and my running training can be challenging because I want to excel in all areas. However, with consistent time management and avoiding procrastination, it’s definitely achievable. The support and encouragement I receive from my family, the ASC community, and my fellow College Captain Ebonnie makes everything much more manageable.”
Looking ahead beyond graduation, Eli has big dreams and a clear long-term vision.
“My main goal for the future is to compete at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Ideally, I’ll continue representing Australia while studying at university for four years. By the time I’ve completed my degree, I’ll have a year before the Olympics to do nothing but run pretty much and put myself in the best possible position to compete.”
Big dreams and unwavering determination are what set Eli apart. But above all, it is his belief in himself — something he would tell his younger self to hold onto.
“Always believe in yourself, regardless of whether others have doubts. The only thing that matters is that you have confidence in yourself. It doesn’t matter if your goals seem absurd or unrealistic. With time and training, those aspirations will become less like dreams and more like reality.”
Eli’s journey is defined by resilience and self‑belief. From overcoming injury to balancing the demands of elite sport and study, he has shown an ability to stay focused and committed through every challenge. It is this mindset, one that is grounded in belief and determination, that makes him not only a standout athlete, but also a dedicated student and leader within the College community.