ATHLETICS: Natasha Rudder has gone many miles to achieve her dreams, 100m at a time. <\/p>\n
The family car has racked up about 5500km in seven weeks as Rudder competed at athletics competitions from Sydney to Brisbane, chasing a dream on to the world stage. <\/p>\n
The South Grafton 17-year-old will represent the Australian Regional team at the Oceania Athletics Area Championships 2017 in Suva, Fiji, this week. <\/p>\n
With sprints in the Under-20 100m and 200m events and a potential selection in the Open relay team, Rudder has had to go to great lengths to earn a second chance opportunity at the titles. <\/p>\n
Rudder missed out on national selection and instead had to earn her way onto the regional team by beating qualifying times at athletics meets. <\/p>\n
But not only did Rudder beat those times, she obliterated them. <\/p>\n
\"When I had seen the times that I needed to qualify, I felt confident I could achieve them,\" she said. <\/p>\n
\"Doing all my training and competing at different areas and in different competitions, I finally got there. <\/p>\n
\"When I got my PB in the 200m, that was when I was most excited because I smashed it by three to four seconds.\" <\/p>\n
Rudder runs the 200m in 25.74 and the 100m in 12.4 seconds, more than three seconds under qualifying time. <\/p>\n
She will fly out for the championships today with the support of South Grafton Ex-Servicemen's Club who raised funds to help get Rudder to Fiji. <\/p>\n
\"There is no words to describe the feeling,\" she said. \"I am representing all of the people of Australia at this event. It is happening. It is so awe-inspiring and new. I am nervous but so excited.\" <\/p>\n
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Rudder steers assault at Oceania area championships - Clarence Valley Daily Examiner<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ATHLETICS: Natasha Rudder has gone many miles to achieve her dreams, 100m at a time. The family car has racked up about 5500km in seven weeks as Rudder competed at athletics competitions from Sydney to Brisbane, chasing a dream on to the world stage. The South Grafton 17-year-old will represent the Australian Regional team at the Oceania Athletics Area Championships 2017 in Suva, Fiji, this week. Continue reading