Boy’s baton relay

By Sarah Schwager
A SKYE boy who has his own dreams of one day making the Commonwealth team will run in the baton relay in the lead up to the Games next month.
Ryan Smith, 14, was nominated by his school, Carrum Downs Secondary College, for his contribution to both school sports and the school community.
“Since starting at Carrum Downs in year seven, he has been a fantastic role model to other students,” Ryan’s sub-school leader Carol Pyke said.
“He is very involved in sporting activities but it is more than that. He carries the school’s name with pride.”
The year nine student said he felt honoured but surprised to be chosen to run with the baton.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Ryan said.
Ryan will run the Cranbourne North leg of the relay on 2 March.
“My friends can’t believe it. They think it’s unfair,” he said.
Ryan is a star runner, swimmer and competes in triathlons.
He won the Bass Coast Series of three biathlons, the last of which was on Sunday.
Ryan said he hoped one day to compete in the Commonwealth Games but said he first had to make the Australian team.
He said his family was very proud and happy for him apart from his younger brother Liam, 13, who wished he had been chosen.
Ryan was one of five students nominated by the school, but the only one to be chosen.
Ms Pyke said Ryan, who is involved in the student leadership program, had been quite humbled but a little bit shy when they told him he had been nominated.
But she said he definitely deserved the honour.
“He has constantly shown a respect and appreciation for others which is great,” Ms Pyke said.