HOP, step and jump!
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That's what 14 year-old Ebony Pender will be doing on the weekend of March 20 as she, and 10 other young Lithgow athletes head to Sydney Olympic Park for the NSW State Athletics Championships.
Representing Lithgow Athletics, Pender will compete in the U15s triple jump event.
Other athletes attending include Emeric Fuamatu, Ryan Wells, Xara Gill, Beau Gill, Elka Lee, Jaxxon Woolsey, Dustin Beckett, Isaac Beckett and Chase Nightingale. They will compete in a range of events including shot put, discuss, running, high jump and hurdles.
Pender said she looked forward to competing at state and was training hard in the lead up.
"I'm working on my leg muscles, doing squats and lunges every day, practicing running and fast hops to get my leg power up and my speed going," she said.
Pender said she was excited to head to Homebush for a different atmosphere, try out new equipment and meet new people.
"I'm looking forward to getting to use the different running platform and getting the bounce from it," she said.
"Plus getting the competitiveness that we don't get here and it's always exciting to make new friends," Pender said.
Little Athletics vice president Chantelle Gill said for a small club, to get 11 athletes heading to state was impressive.
"This year has been different because we haven't had all of our qualifying events, so only the top two [athletes] get in [to state] when usually a few more get in.
"So to get this many out of our 50 or 60 kids is pretty impressive, we're so proud of them," she said.
Gill wished the athletes good luck on behalf of the committee.
"We're super excited and proud of them and wish them every success in the competition."
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She also encouraged more kids to get involved in Lithgow Little Athletics.
"Little Athletics is based on improving your own times, you don't have to compete against each other, it's based on improving your own throws, own jumps, own runs and it's a really great family atmosphere down here and there's lots of support."
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Alanna Tomazin
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
