Marley Young only found out she liked running when she took part in her first primary school athletics carnival. Now she's hooked.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She's recently returned from representing her school at the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association competition in the 200 metre event, where she finished 25th out of 40 girls in the 10 years division.
Since first getting at taste for track and field events at the Gloucester Public School carnival last year, she went on to take out the junior champion title at this year's event.
Her results saw her qualify for zone, so she travelled to Wingham to compete in long jump, high jump, 100 metres, 200 metres and the 4 x 100m girl's relay.
From there, she qualified for the high jump, 100 metres and 200 metres events at the regional competition held in Newcastle.
At regionals, she place third in the 200 metres and made it into the State competition held at Olympic Park in Sydney on Wednesday, November 6. She may not have won the race but she finished with a personal best time, something that is just as important to her.
It's not her first time qualifying for State, as she made it last year for the 100 metre event, which just so happens to be her favourite. She even managed to run the second fastest 100 metres in the nine years division for the Hunter region.
"I'm really grateful to have the opportunity," Marley said, acknowledging how she relies on her parents to get her to and from all the competitions.
"I'm thankful for the support from my family and my school.
Outside of school, she's part of the Gloucester Little Athletics Club, where she's also made it to State, running the 70 metre event in the past.
For Marley, the track events are the best, mainly the short distances, but she also likes the 100 metre hurdles, which she thinks is kind of fun.
"I try to go as fast as I can and qualify in as many events as I can," she smiled.
For Little A's, she can only choose to compete in four events, so she's picked long jump, hurdles, 100 metres and 200 metres. Her ultimate goal is to make it through to nationals to be held in Tasmania.
She reckons her sporting ability is in her genes, as she comes from a sporty family, and happily admits the reason why she likes to run, is because "I'm good at it."
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
