A MINDARIE student will represent Australia in athletics at the upcoming Oceania Area Championships.
Peter Moyes Anglican Community School Year 10 student Abigail Graham has been selected to represent Australia in Athletics at the championships in Townsville from June 25 to 28.
She will run in the under 18 women’s 2000m steeplechase, selected after her strong performance at the recent Athletics Australia National Championships.
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READ NOWAbigail, who still qualifies for the Under 17 age group, competed above her age group at the Australian championships in order to qualify for selection for this month’s event.
“My favourite part about doing athletics would have to be the competition,” she said.
“It really gives me the opportunity to push myself to my limits and allows me to get into my own zone; I don’t have to worry about anyone or anything while I’m competing and training.
“I feel like there is nothing better than getting the opportunity to challenge yourself both mentally and physically, and that is what athletics provides me with.
“I get to experience so many amazing opportunities and go to beautiful places.
“I get to meet so many people who have the same interests as me along the way and it’s definitely the place to make lifelong friends.
“Athletics has really changed the person who I am and I love that it’s shaped me in that way.
“The most challenging part of athletics for me is the training and staying mentally tough though it all.
“The really hard part is definitely picking myself up after I failed, but I’ve learnt that it’s about how hard I’m willing to work after I’ve fallen down that makes the difference and making sure that I do anything in my ability to improve every time I step onto the track.
“Making this Australian team was the first of my biggest goals since I started competing and I hope to continue making some more Australian teams in the future.
“I would love to go to the Olympics one day but right now I am working on improving on my personal best times and I am hoping to run a really big personal best in my steeplechase race in Townsville.”
