Runner is on right track

Fresh from representing WA at the Tri Nation Little Athletics Championships in Singapore, 15-year-old Chelsea Kelly has been named the Busselton Freight Services Rising Sports Star for June.

The Busselton runner came home triumphant from the track-and-field meet after winning two medals, a gold in the four times 400m relay and bronze in the individual 1500m.

Her medals follow earlier successes at the State Little Athletics Track and Field Championships in March, where she won gold in the under-15 girls 1500m and silver in the 800m, qualifying her for the WA team.

Chelsea had trouble deciding which one of her recent achievements was the best, but said competing in Singapore was a wonderful experience.

“I loved it, I thought it was really fun,” she said. “I’ve been to Bali before but I really enjoyed Singapore.”

Chelsea said highlights of the trip included getting to know the other girls on the team and seeing how she compared to international athletes, although she experienced some difficulty running in the country’s humid conditions.

The MacKillop Catholic College student has only been participating in Little Athletics for two years, in which time the 800m and 1500m have become her favourite events.

She played hockey and basketball as a child, reaching high levels in the sport, before choosing to give athletics a go after excelling in school carnivals.

“Mum and dad always said I should do it but I never did,” Chelsea said.

“(Then) I won my cross country at school so I thought that I was good enough.”

Chelsea still plays for the under-16s Robins hockey side but said running was her favourite sport and something she would focus on in the future.

“I like it because it’s individual and because you’re only racing against yourself, so what you put in is what you get out,” she said.

“I just want to keep improving my times and doing PBs and try and qualify for nationals.” Chelsea said she was happy to receive the Rising Sports Star award and thanked her Little Athletics coach Bruce Cornish.

The Rising Sports Star is proudly supported by the Busselton Dunsborough Times.

Contact editor@bdtimes.com.au for a copy of the nomination form or visit our Queen Street office.