Sierra Cates

Grant Union High School sophomore Sierra Cates is preparing for a big trip to Australia where she’ll compete in track and field next summer.

She has been invited to the Down Under Sports Track and Field Championships in Queensland.

Down Under Sports programs aim to use the common language of sports to bridge the continents, providing a competition for athletes from around the globe.

Cates said she plans to compete in the 400-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay at the event.

Last season, Cates placed second in the 4×100 at state and was on the Grant Union girls track team which won the Wapiti District title.

Cates, 16, is the daughter of Roni Hickerson and Bryan Cates.

“I’m looking forward to the experience, meeting new people and hopefully learning some new techniques to help me become a better track sprinter,” she said.

The 10-day trip will cost about $6,000, so Cates and her family are holding a by-donation spaghetti feed next month at the Mt. Vernon Community Center at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.

There will also be a dessert auction and items for a raffle.

“It would be helpful for people to come, and all are invited,” she said.