Lauren primed for success
Javelin: Lauren”s favourite event is the javelin. She won two silver medals for her efforts in the javelin whilst overseas.
By Isaac McCallum
LAUREN Goldie is an all round athlete.
The 15-year-old has recently returned from Canada and the USA, competing and training in athletics.
But the Leongatha resident competes in javelin, shot put, discus and the 100 metre sprint, which is a rare combination, not that she thinks much of it.
“I was always a runner, and I can throw as well so I do both,” she said.
Lauren returned from overseas with two silver medals for javelin and a bronze for shot put.
“Javelin is my favourite event. If I had to go with one it’d be javelin for sure,” said Lauren.
Australia picked 20 participants to travel overseas, and Lauren was one lucky enough to be selected.
The Australians faced off against the Canadian team, as well as New Zealand, and a selection of world champions in various events.
The competition can only be good for athletes as young as 15, as they prepare for the future, facing tough challenges.
The trip overseas was not all competition, however, with trips to Denver, Las Vegas and California to take the competitors’ minds off training.
Of the venues including the Las Vegas strip and Disneyland, Lauren said Whistler Mountains in Canada was her favourite destination.
The Leongatha Secondary College student moved from Newhaven College at the start of last year, and has been competing in Leongatha’s Little Aths competitions for a couple of years, where she has broken numerous records.
The star has also joined South Coast Athletics in a bid for further success.
Lauren’s proud mum has been very supportive of her daughter, and along with the athlete’s grandmother, paid for the entire trip overseas.
“Mum’s been really supportive financially and emotionally,” Lauren told The Star.
Leaving friends behind for quite a period can also be hard on someone at such a young age, but Lauren says she has not had too many troubles.
“I didn’t know what’s been happening, but they filled me in. I’ve found I’m closer to some people when I return, which is good,” she said.
The 15-year-old isn’t just a track and field star, as she also plays netball for Stony Creek, is a swimmer, horse rider, surfer and plays badminton, and snowboards in her spare time.
It is quite a load, but she says that she enjoys every minute of playing sport.
“I love it, it makes me happy,” she said.
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