Guyra athletics gun Kelsie Youman set to debut for Australia at Oceania Championships in Fiji. <\/p>\n
GREEN AND GOLD: Kelsie Youman is ready to take on Oceania's best. <\/p>\n
Kelsie Youman has hit the track and is on her way to reach her peak for the Oceania Championships at the end of this month. <\/p>\n
The Guyra athletics star will represent Australia at the meet in Fiji. <\/p>\n
For Youman, it will not be the first time she has raced in Fiji, having represented regional Australia last year on the island.<\/p>\n
But it will be the first time she has worn the green and gold. <\/p>\n
It feels a little strange being the only Armidale athlete in the Australian team, she said. However I am very honoured and proud to have the chance to wear the green and gold which I may never get to do again.<\/p>\n
The regional Australia team and Australian team all travel together sand stay at the same accommodation so I should still be spending a lot of time with my training partners which is great. <\/p>\n
She will compete in the 800 metres and the 2000 metres steeplechase after posting impressive qualifying times and results at the nationals. <\/p>\n
Dedicated to her sport and her studies, Youman is undergoing her HSC but is managing to trainthree days a week in Armidale with coach Jay Stone as well as helping her mother, Nadine, train Guyra athletes every Wednesday.<\/p>\n
She also tests her endurance once a week with a longer run and is building up her core strength to be in top shape for Fiji. <\/p>\n
Preparation is going well and is finally coming together, she said.<\/p>\n
I was scared that I was not going to be able to work my way back up to the fitness level I was in for nationals in time for Fiji but at the moment my times I have been getting at training are the fastest I have ran since I have been in the Viper squad which is a good sign. <\/p>\n
This years meet will include more countries than the 2016 event and Youman is set for some heavily contested races. <\/p>\n
The competition is slightly different then last year, which was Melanesian, and this year it is Oceanic, she said. <\/p>\n
Because it wont be the same competition, Im notpositive what my chances are or how I will go placing wise. <\/p>\n
However, I am feeling fit and healthy and my training is going well so I am aiming to get PBs in my races which I believe I can achieve. <\/p>\n
She hit her peak for the nationals this year and was on her way to a podium finish in the 800mwhen she stumbled and fell. <\/p>\n
She is ready to ramp it up in Fiji and achieve her personal best time in the 800m. <\/p>\n
Because I fell at nationals, I didnt get to see the time I could have gotten with the training that I had put in, she said. <\/p>\n
So to be able to complete a full race, full out to get a PBand see what I am capable of, would be great. <\/p>\n
Forthe athletes, the competition isnt the only attraction it is also a chance to meet other like-minded young stars and explore another country. <\/p>\n
I have been very excited about heading over to Fiji this year and am looking forward to competing, Youman said. <\/p>\n
I'm again looking forward to meeting new people, not only from other countries but also from within Australia as I only know very few people that are in the Australian and Regional Australian teamthis year. <\/p>\n
With the weather in Fiji a bit warmer than Guyra, she will headover on June 26,a few days prior to the opening ceremony, to adjust. <\/p>\n
Youman said behind all her success is adedicatedteam of people. <\/p>\n
I would again like to thank my family and everyone else who supports me. I appreciate it a lot, she said. <\/p>\n
Also my mum, who does everything for me and supports everything I do. <\/p>\n
And of course I would like to thank Jay Stone for everything that he does for myself as well as all the other athletes he coaches. <\/p>\n
He is truly amazing and I wouldnt have the opportunities I have doing the things that I am without him. <\/p>\n
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See the original post here:<\/p>\n
Oceania Championships: Kelsie Youman pumped to be representing Australia for the first time. - The Northern Daily Leader<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guyra athletics gun Kelsie Youman set to debut for Australia at Oceania Championships in Fiji. Continue reading