By SARAH MATTHEWS

Riverside’s Daisy Sudholz has turned a talent for running into an opportunity to compete on a national stage. 

Daisy, 14, won gold in the under-15 girls 1500 metres at Athletics Victoria Junior Track and Field Championships at Albert Park on March 1.

During the second weekend of the championships, also in Melbourne, she claimed silver in the under-15 girls 800 metres.

Daisy’s standout performances saw her qualify for both events at the 2020 Australian Junior Track and Field Championships, which were due to start in Sydney on Saturday.

Daisy discovered on Friday the junior championships had been cancelled in line with the government’s recommendation to ban ‘non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people’.

Daisy’s mother Emelia said her daughter was disappointed she would not be able to compete.

“All the athletics were to be in the one place; the juniors have been cancelled and the seniors have been postponed, because they act as qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics – if that will even go ahead now,” she said.

“In the past six months Daisy has improved so much and her coaches had her peaking at the right time, so it’s really disappointing.”

While Daisy was deflated by the event’s cancellation, she said she was determined to compete again next year. 

The Sydney championships would have seen Daisy compete in national athletics events for the second time after she claimed bronze in the under-14 girls 1500 metres at the Australian All Schools athletics championships in Perth in December. 

Daisy said due to her performance over 1500 metres in Perth, she was confident heading into her state final earlier this month.

She said she was excited by her second placing in the 800 metres, which allowed her to qualify for both events in Sydney.

Daisy has been working hard towards her goals, participating in athletics training with coach Ricky Price and strength and conditioning sessions with Tony Lloyd.

“I train over 400m, 100m and 300m distances that add up to 1500 metres,” Daisy said. 

“I do athletics training on Mondays and Thursdays and sometimes on Saturdays, and I also do strength and conditioning training with Tony.

“I’ve been doing it for 12 months. Sometimes I use body weight or light weights and I also do boxing. I love it. 

“I’d like to thank both of my coaches.”

Daisy joined Ballarat-based Eureka Athletic Club at the start of the year to help prime herself for the state titles.

Participants must be registered with an Athletics Victoria club to compete in the state titles.

Mrs Sudholz said Daisy had improved remarkably since joining Eureka.

“Before that the only time she got to compete against other people was at big events, where she was running against kids who compete every weekend,” she said.

“She has competed in Ballarat three or four times and it’s been really good. She really likes the challenge.”

Daisy said she would like to compete in 800m and 1500m events at next year’s Athletics Victoria event, to try to qualify for the Australian junior championships again.

“I’d also like to try steeplechase,” she said.

“It’s two kilometres around the track and has big hurdles and water jumps. I’ve never done it before but it looks fun.”

Daisy discovered her talent for running at primary school and has had success in cross country events at state and national level.

The St Brigid’s College student also plays domestic basketball and is a keen footballer, representing Rupanyup’s under-14s in Horsham District league.

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