Since then, the 16-year-old has been throwing her way in into the medals and record books.

“I first started athletics in my first year in Mount Isa in 2012 at the school athletics carnival,” Carmen said.

“I went well at the local carnival, before going on to Longreach and winning at the regional competition.

“From the first time I picked up a javelin, I found out that I could easily throw further than others in my age group.’’

Carmen has also enjoyed success in discus and hammer throw, as well as sports including basketball and netball away from the track.

“My greatest achievement to date happened this year at the Queensland Secondary State Championships while representing the North West Region,” she said.

“I threw 41.17 metres in the javelin – which was a personal best – placing me fourth overall.”

Carmen one day wishes to emulate her idol, Australian javelin thrower Kim Mickle, who claimed the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games this year.

“Next year I’m hoping to compete for the Regional Australia team at the Oceania Games in Cairns,” Carmen said.

“After that, getting to nationals at the end of the year is definitely possible.

“I’m still improving and some of my main rivals seem to be tapering off.”

Carmen – who trains up to 12 hours a week during the season – credits her family as the biggest influence on her career.

“My parents have been very supportive as well as my three brothers,” she said.

“Being able to keep up with them all my life has been fun and has pushed me.

“My oldest brother threw javelin at school as well and one day I would love beat his best throw.

“The coaches, such as Ken Dickson and David Scott, here in Mount Isa have been a big help too.”

Dickson, who has coached Carmen for years now, thinks she has the potential to go all the way.

“Carmen is an athlete with a huge amount of potential and is by far the best female javelin thrower the club has seen thus far,” Dickson said.

“Her efforts at the Queensland Secondary Schools State Championships were a perfect example of what she is capable of when put under pressure.

“She produced a four-metre personal best and finished in fourth place, but more importantly only two metres behind the winner.

“Carmen’s javelin technique makes it look effortless.

“She is always willing to help out the club with everything from setting up for a club day to assisting with coaching.”

Adding to her accolades, Carmen was this year named Good Shepherd Catholic College’s Sportswomen of the Year.

“Carmen currently holds Athletics North Queensland development squad gold qualifier in the javelin and silver qualifier in the hammer throw,” Dickson said.

“Her javelin is so strong she has also recently passed into the gold qualifier in open women’s javelin.

“On a club note, Carmen claimed the 2014 points champion for 16-year to open women, as well as holding the records 16-years (37.60m) and open javelin (35.48m) records.

“She still holds records in the 14-years weight throw and 15-years javelin and throws pentathlon.

“She is a huge talent and if she continues to work hard, the sky really is the limit.”