Chloe’s secret weapon

The Ellenbrook Secondary College student (14) is coached by mum Dawn four days a week for sprinting, hurdles and javelin.

“It’s the best,” she said.

“I definitely prefer it to having a coach.

“It’s more of a personal relationship as well, she understands me.”

Mrs Wright said coaching her daughter was very rewarding.

“She’s very disciplined,” she said. “She’ll do whatever is asked of her.

“Chloe puts a lot of determination into her training as well.

“When she first started, she used to come last and now she’s beating the girls who used to beat her.”

Chloe has been involved in athletics for six years and is a member of Swan Valley Little Athletics Club.

She trains with the Ellenbrook centre (a local branch of the Swan Valley club) as well on her own with her mother.

“I coach her for running and strength,” Mrs Wright said.

“Then she will do another session with the club.

“Coaching Chloe has been a learning experience – I don’t have a background in athletics, so I have had to learn as much as I can to try and help her.

“We’ve both been learning together.”

Chloe said running was her passion.

“I get a bit tired, especially with school as well. But I’m used to it now.”

Chloe said she was a distance runner when she was younger, but now enjoyed the shorter events.

“My favourite is the 400m hurdles,” she said.

“I also do the 90m hurdles, 200m sprint, 200m hurdles, 400m sprint and javelin.”

On top of training, Chloe also competes two days a week.

Chloe’s tough training regime paid off last year, when she competed in her first national championships.

“I went to the Australia Junior Championships in Sydney last March,” she said.

“I competed in javelin, but I was injured then, so I didn’t do as well, but it was a great experience.”

Chloe said she came very close to qualifying for the 400m hurdles as well.

“ I almost qualified for nationals, but just missed out,” she said.

“But I competed in the under-17 age group, so I was against girls much older than me.”

Chloe will compete at the zone championships at Noranda Little Athletics Club this weekend, where she is aiming to qualify for the State Championships later this month.