AFTER improving his best time by 25 seconds in the past three months, Ben Carey is one of two students preparing to debut for Queensland in the nationals in school athletics.

Ben, of St Mary's, and Allora State School student Cooper Harm are the two representatives from the Southern Downs competing in the 10-12 years nationals at Sydney Olympic Park starting today and going to Tuesday.

Missing the state championships in cross country due to asthma just made Ben more determined when it came to the state championships in athletics.

He trains each day of the family property at Swan Creek in between sessions under Greg Wallace at Hamilton Oval.

"I am excited but a bit nervous before going to Sydney,” he said.

His mother Genny said it was inspiring how Ben battled through with his asthma

"He is very vigilant with his medication,” she said.

This year, he won his age championship at the St Mary's school carnival and was runner-up age champion at the Southern Downs championships.

At the start of the season, Ben had a best of two minutes, 52 seconds.

He won the 800m at St Mary's and then improved his best time to 2:39.87 in breaking the Southern Downs record. Ben finished second in the Darling Downs championships and then ran 2:27.36 for a third at the state championships.

Ben was also sixth in discus at the regionals and won his 200m heat.

Going into the 800m on Sunday in Sydney, he is ranked in the top five in Australia.

Cooper Harm was a state medallist in swimming at the start of the year but has shone in athletics in the past three months.

He is coached in high jump by Bec Rogers and has a best of 1.41m in training and a best of 1.36m in competition.

Starting the season with a win in high jump at Allora, Cooper won the 10 years event at the Southern Downs championships with a new record jump of 1.36m and then didn't miss an attempt on the way to winning bronze at the state championships with 1.36m.

His perfect record before three misses at 1.39m secured him silver on a countback.

"I am aiming for gold and to jump 1.42 metres,” he said.

"I will need a personal best in Sydney to be in contention for a medal.”

The two Southern Downs boys were at state training in Brisbane this week and will be part of today's opening ceremony in Sydney and Tuesday's closing ceremony.