RAYMOND Terrace pocket rocket athlete Audrey Russell is the number one ranked race walker for her age in Australia.
The 12-year-old prodigy earned the tag when she clinched gold in the Girls Under 13yrs 1500m Race Walk at the recent Little Athletics National Championships in Adelaide.
All conquering Audrey was crowned national champion after producing a four second personal best time of 7:02.87 minutes to blitz her Queensland rival Isabella Welch (7:17.78) by a staggering 15 seconds.
Victorian bronze medallist Julia Baldy (7:21.70) was a further four seconds behind.
The boom race walker led from start to finish to cap a memorable season on the athletics track.
It was an outstanding accomplishment by the Raymond Terrace Athletics Centre junior, who also claimed gold in the 1500m Race Walk at the Little Athletics NSW State Championships at Sydney Olympic Park earlier this year.
Audrey also helped her NSW team win the Trevor Billingham Trophy for the highest Under 13s pointscore, with a tally of 778 – 25 points clear of runners-up Queensland (753).
The Hunter Valley Grammar School student came into the Adelaide meet in top form after collecting a bronze medal at the National Athletics Championships in Perth.
Competing up an age group in the Girls 14yrs 3000m walk, a determined Audrey finished third in a strong field to demonstrate her potential and class.
Raymond Terrace Athletics Club secretary Deidre Hall told News Of The Area that Audrey’s gold medal success at the Little Athletics National titles was a “special achievement.”
“We are all proud of her performances and believe she has a bright future in athletics,” said Deidre, who has chalked up 35 years of sterling service with the Raymond Terrace club.
A dual NSW representative and talented cross country runner, Audrey will now focus on her second sporting love – soccer.
The versatile schoolgirl currently plays for Newcastle Olympic football team in the Under 13s Youth Premier League.
She has also been a member of the Hunter Academy of Sport for triathlon this season.
By Chris KARAS
