EMERGING Raymond Terrace race walker Audrey Russell is a young athlete on a mission.
The talented 14-year-old is chasing national gold in her signature event and is one to watch after superb performances on the track this season.
Audrey tuned up for the upcoming Australian Athletics Junior Championships in Brisbane by winning the NSW Juniors Girls 14yrs 1500m Race Walk title.
It was a phenomenal effort by the Hunter Valley Grammar School student who clocked an impressive time of 6:52.75 sec to edge out Cherrybrook’s Ashleigh Mansell (6:55.79 sec) for the gold medal at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.
The triumph has given Audrey a huge confidence boost as she prepares to represent NSW at the National Junior championships to be staged at the Queensland Sport & Athletics Centre from 15-20 April.
Showcasing her versatility and endurance, the promising Russell added a bronze medal to her honours list after a strong showing in the 2000m steeplechase.
Northern Suburbs Little Athletics Club ace Meredith Lee won the event in a time of 7:21.28 sec with Westfields’ Elijah Nassif (7: 42.22) pipping Audrey (7:44.21 sec) for silver.
In a huge blow, Raymond Terrace Athletics Club’s middle-distance running champion Ashlyn Wall was forced to withdraw from the State Junior titles due to illness.
Several other Raymond Terrace club athletes showed their wares with encouraging performances in various track and field disciplines.
Asher MacDonald achieved top ten finishes in the Girls 13yrs age group by placing seventh in the long jump and ninth in triple jump while Sydnee Farrelly demonstrated her fierce determination in the Girls 16yrs distance events to finish tenth in the 3000m and 16th in both the 800m and 1500m.
Former Australian junior representative Dixie Conlon, 18, backed up her triple gold medal wins in the Under 20yrs 100m hurdles, long jump and triple jump at the recent NSW Country Championships with solid performances at the State Junior titles.
Competing in the Girls 18yrs division, Dixie produced a strong all-round performance to narrowly miss a medal with a fourth placing in the triple jump while also placing fifth in the long jump and sixth in the 100m hurdles.
In the Para Under 20 ambulant category, Sienna Newton secured a bronze medal in the long jump, rounding out a successful meet for the Raymond Terrace team.
Club president Deidre Hall told News Of The Area that she was proud of the squad’s efforts to perform in elite competition.
“Overall the championships highlighted the depth of talent within the club with our athletes building on their experience and achieving commendable results at a NSW level,” she exclaimed.
By Chris KARAS
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