By Russell Bennett
MONBULK College’s Dylan Arnold has the sporting world at his feet, at just 15 years of age.
The year 10 student took part in the Victorian Secondary Schools Sports Association’s (VSSSA) track and field finals at Olympic Park on 19 October and placed 4th in the 400m final.
Dylan, who had no prior track and field experience, became involved in athletics as another outlet for his prodigious talent. He was the only student at Monbulk College to make the VSSSA finals.
Dylan’s main two sporting passions are AFL and volleyball.
“The main sport at school is volleyball,” he said.
“I took up athletics just for fun but I want to make a real go of my footy.”
Dylan plays representative football for the Eastern Ranges in the ruck and across the half back line.
He is already 188cm tall and is likely to keep growing.
“Sport is pretty much everything to me,” Dylan said.
“I guess I do pretty well in school but I just love sport.”
Though he plans to make a career out of his football, Dylan’s talent is obvious in a number of areas.
He has been selected twice for Victorian junior volleyball teams and has won a silver medal at the national titles.
He has also been a key player in five consecutive premierships for the Emerald Football Club.
Dylan said he was always relaxed before a big football game but was nervous in the lead-up to his big race in the city. “I caught the train in with my mum,” he said. “Before I went in, all my teachers wished me luck. They’ve been really encouraging.
Dylan said he hoped to nominate for the AFL draft in the next few years, “though at this stage it’s still pretty early”.
“My coaches are pretty pleased with my progress though.”
