And while her performance didn’t reach the heights that saw her clear a massive 1.96m at the Australian All-School Track and Field Championships in Townsville last month, her efforts were enough to clinch an easy win in the open women’s and under-20 divisions.

Patterson’s jump in Townsville was the biggest by an athlete of her age since 1984 and has further

signalled her as a worldwide talent.

Last night, the 17-year-old didn’t even begin the competition until the bar was at 1.80m and cleared a couple of jumps before failing at all three attempts at 1.88m.

Shortly after her final jump, she told The Courier she had hoped for better, but had thought her effort was “alright.”

The South Coast athlete will get another chance today when she competes in the under-18 high jump, and will also try her hand at the under-20 100m.

“I never do sprints, so it’s good to do something different,” she said.