This summer, rising senior Nicholas Leeds '19 was invited to Australia for the experience of a lifetime. Leeds, representing Team USA along with 300 other athletes, competed in the 30th Annual Down Under Sports tournament in Queensland. In the finals, he took fifth in the Men's 18-19 High Jump, clearing the bar at 1.80m (5' 9").
In addition to three days of competition at Queensland's Griffith University, Leeds also had the opportunity to do some sightseeing in Brisbane, venture into kangaroo fields on the Gold Coast, and visit wildlife sanctuaries: “It [is] something that I will never forget. Not only competing in Australia, I got to compete against high competition and... represent my country," says Leeds. "Also, exploring the wildlife and sightseeing was pretty cool. It was a trip of a lifetime!" Though the ten days were a whirlwind of travel, activities, and international competition, Leeds soaked in every minute of it and appreciated the opportunity to display his track and field talent on a world stage.
Photo courtesy of downundersports.com