SWAS INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE
Age: 24
Hi Kirstie I am here today because everyone is interested in getting to know you a little better, Can I ask you a few Questions about you, your hopes and Dreams?
So tell me, What begun your Athletics Journey?
In year 7 my school had a Cross Country Competition, I wasn’t allowed to compete as the teachers felt that I wouldn’t physically be able to complete the race, they felt that without a helper it would be too hard for me.
A teacher at the School Michael Barand told me about Para Athletics with School Sports and Encouraged me to not only do the race, but to go on further to see what I could do. (Funnily enough, this year I was actually up against him for an award in the Colac Sportsperson of the Year Award.
What are your Goals for the Future?
I want to be able to Improve in all my races, I want to get Faster.
This year I hope to make the INAS Global Games in the 1500 and 3000mtr races, it is in Brisbane and is the International Championship for Intellectually Disabled Athletes.
It would be great to compete for Australia on home soil.
This year it is also my goal to get Qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, I am not far off, so by improving I think I have a chance.
What is it that you love about your chosen distances?
I like to improve my times, at events like nationals I get to compete with lots of other para athletes, here in Sydney I have competed in events with Paralympians, Commonwealth games representatives, Overseas Athletes and World Championship competitors.
I like to do my best, be my best and hopefully do enough to represent Australia at the highest Level.
So how did you go this weekend?
In the 1500Mtr Ambulant Open event I placed 2nd Winning a Silver medal,
In the 800mtr Ambulant open event I placed 4th
and in the 400mtrs Ambulant Open I placed 4th
I managed to do a really good Personal best time in my race which was great.
I enjoyed competing in Sydney and representing SWAS.