Give us 5 words that best describe you as an athlete:

tenacious, determined, spirited, strong-willed, sensitive

Tell us about your best memory of your athletic career:

My best memory came during the 2019 NZSSTFRR Championship in Wellington. I had run my 1500m just 30 minutes prior to my 2000m steeples race and I was infuriated with my fourth place finish after running a very good tactical race. I was about to pull out of the steeples as I was embarrassed with myself. However, my coach convinced me to run the race. To make things even more memorable, the conditions were brutal with hail and strong winds. I started the race in a terrible headspace and lugged my way around the track in fourth. By the third lap I had passed into third place, but I was still struggling to shake off the experience from my previous race. The girl behind me was gaining and by the final 200m she was hot on my tail. That is when I heard my coach yell “Go Von go, she is catching”! This was something I had never heard my coach yell during a race, but it really helped me push past my limits and keep my third place and with that qualify for nationals!

Goals:

I wish to compete at the Olympics and at many national and worldwide events. I also wish to continue competing well past my “optimum age” for racing!

Anything else we should know?

I also have a black belt in karate and I am an avid musician. Over the years I have learnt to play the piano, saxophone and the guitar. I currently play the harp at grade 7 trinity level and I am teaching myself to play the theremin.