Sport
15 April, 2024
Dunolly’s Mia Schodde ready for two trips to Adelaide to compete in national championships
If 2024 is anything to go by, it looks like an eventful year for Dunolly’s Mia Schodde on the athletics track. The young Little Athletics star has been able to qualify for two separate national competitions — both of which will be held in...
If 2024 is anything to go by, it looks like an eventful year for Dunolly’s Mia Schodde on the athletics track.
The young Little Athletics star has been able to qualify for two separate national competitions — both of which will be held in Adelaide throughout the rest of April.
Schodde qualified for the Athletics Australia national championships, which are currently being held in Adelaide, thanks to her exploits in late February. Schodde’s pet event, the high jump, saw her take out the state championships on February 23 in the under 14 competition, qualifying her for the nationals, which will be held on Thursday.
She also finished seventh in the 100 m sprint, as well as fifth in the long jump, two extremely credible efforts to show her versatility in the sport.
Two weeks later, Schodde went to the Little Athletics state championships on March 9, and again performed strongly in the high jump, finishing with a personal best of 1.54 m, finishing second.
Despite not winning on that occasion, Schodde earned selection to the Little Athletics Victoria team in the Australian Little Athletics Championships.
Schodde will therefore represent Victoria in the high jump, as part of the squad of 32 under 13s.
The event will again be held in Adelaide on the weekend of April 28 and 29.
Schodde’s exploits makes it extra special for her home town in Dunolly, and she says she is hoping to repay the favour and keep on making the town proud.
“I don’t know too many that have done that. It’s good to represent the town,” she said.
Schodde said she was shocked to receive confirmation that she was in both teams to head into Adelaide, having expected an email to come through the night before.
“It was really good. I was in the car with mum waiting for school, which was a bit of a shock. There was meant to be an email the day before, and I was disappointed when I didn’t get it then, so I was shocked,” she said.
“It feels really good. We have family in Adelaide, so it will be exciting to see them.”
While Schodde is a naturally gifted athlete in many athletics disciples, including running, it’s her jumping ability which stands out as her favourite.
“My favourites are definitely all the jumps, with high jump, long jump and triple jump. The running is alright,” she said.
Schodde credits her time in Bendigo working on her craft, as well as her regular competition at the Maryborough Little Athletics Centre, for her selection in both Victorian teams.
“I used to have a coach in Bendigo, where I did running and strength training, and Little Aths helps as well,” she said.
Schodde’s high jump competition will kick off Thursday’s day of competition at the athletics national championships, which starts at 9.15 am ACST, or 9.45 am in Maryborough.
Schodde will also start the Little Athletics national championships on the opening day of competition on Saturday, April 27.