Sport
4 January, 2024
Spenceley's big breakthrough in 70
Sandringham’s Amelia Spenceley was a breakthrough winner in the Maryborough District Advertiser Women’s 70 m Final in her first senior final. Having previously run at a junior level, Spenceley decided to make the step up, and it paid off in...
Sandringham’s Amelia Spenceley was a breakthrough winner in the Maryborough District Advertiser Women’s 70 m Final in her first senior final.
Having previously run at a junior level, Spenceley decided to make the step up, and it paid off in droves.
“It feels great — it’s actually my first senior final. I’ve run a few under 18s but never in women’s, so I never expected to win, but it’s amazing,” she said.
“I’ve been doing athletics for a while, and I believe it’s just about getting everything right mentally, putting yourself in the zone so you know what you’re doing.”
In a close race, Spenceley took victory with a time of 8.505 to win from Laura McDougall, who finished second with 8.537, while Miriam Suares-Jury finished third with 8.559.
Although when she crossed the finish line, Spenceley wasn’t exactly sure she had won.
“I was terrified and scared, no one knew what was going on or who had won, and I saw the officials looking at the photo finish, crossing all my fingers and toes,” she said.
Spenceley took a fairly simplistic approach to the race, which boded well for her later in the day, after also making the final of the women’s Gift and making her mark as an athlete to watch in the future.
“I always focus on my strengths and my weaknesses,” she said.
“I feel like the 70 metres is good for me as my starts are the best part of my race. Because it’s so short, I get to start well and I focus on the end of my race.
“I train with people who are really competitive and are top, national-level sprinters, so they push me hard, and it’s helped as well.”
Spenceley credits the close relationship which she has forged with her father in making sure she is able to participate in these events.
“My dad drives me out to these competitions and always supports me. He enjoys it and he helps out, so he’s definitely the biggest supporter and my biggest help,” she said.