It was only a few months ago that she broke her big toe playing football in the playground of Maitland’s St John the Baptist on the eve of a representative carnival.

This time around it was a much more subdued approach, skipping gymnastics for a  more injury-safe activity before Wednesday’s run at Homebush.

The year 4 student will don the Polding uniform for a third straight year at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.

McNabb made her debut two years ago in the 100 metres and followed that up by contesting the sprint double 12 months ago.

In 2015 she will race the 200m in the  10-year girls division and will be aiming for a semi-final berth.

McNabb would remain in the state capital until Thursday if she was to make the decider.

She qualified after progressing through four previous primary school carnivals, including a third last start at Glendale.

The 10-year-old from East Maitland doesn’t participate in athletics competition outside of school but keeps herself busy through netball, basketball and surf life saving.

In other state athletics news Kurri Kurri’s Aiden Harvey claimed gold in the 16-year boys shot put at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships in Sydney on the weekend.

Maitland Triathlon Club member Lorcan Redmond broke the 15-year boys 3000m record with a time of eight minutes and 45.67 seconds before backing up with another win in the 1500m.