Scarlett Southern’s first competitive running event might have been a cross-country race when she was in primary school, but it certainly lit a fire in her that continues to burn today.
The 17-year-old St Joseph’s student will represent regional Australia in the 400m and 800m events at the Oceania Athletics championships in Fiji which begin on June 4.
A dream for Scarlett that has come after many years of hard work and dedication, not just from her but also her family as well, who have supported her all the way through.
Scarlett is excited to race and is one of only three regional athletes selected by the committee for the 400m and 800m.
“I am really excited and can’t wait to get there,” Scarlett said.
When she was younger, Scarlett said she used to just focus on winning and getting a medal, but now as she has matured, the focus is definitely on progressing times.
“My PB for the 400m is 58.23 seconds (qualifying time 63 seconds) and 2.20 for the 800m (qualifying 2.45) and I would love to get in the 57s for the 400m and under 2.20 for the 800m.”
Scarlett trains under the watchful eye of local sporting legend Laurie Edmondstone.
She trains six-days-a-week with a mixture of track work, strength, conditioning and mobility with some endurance runs and speed work thrown in on the weekends.
She said balancing training and competing with completing Year 12, helping out on the family dairy farm and social commitments does take a bit of work.
“I am committed and driven to my athletics though and my friends are really supportive when I have to miss out on things, I have also learnt to be independent which helps,” Scarlett said.
Scarlett’s mum Brooke said Scarlett started training with Laurie when she was 10, after showing a bit of local promise — that local promise has seen her compete at the nationals since she was 13.
“I asked Laurie if he could help Scarlett out with her technique and he told me to bring her down and he would have a look,” Brooke said.
“After watching her, he said, I think I can do something and she has been guided by him ever since.”
Brooke said Laurie had been an amazing coach, never pushing Scarlett too hard in case of burnout and above all else has kept things fun.
“I certainly wouldn’t have stuck with it without Laurie’s support and my parents driving me around everywhere,” Scarlett said.
Life as a regional athlete is never easy, especially when it comes to training and competing.
After competing as an athlete for both Cohuna and Echuca Moama Little Athletic clubs, Scarlett had to join senior athletics and travel to Bendigo (in the future she will now be able to represent Echuca and Moama with the recent establishment of a senior athletics club).
Scarlett regularly travels to Melbourne to compete, a lot of the time driving down on the same day.
She often trains on a grass track and is used to making do with what is around.
“Competing regionally means Scarlett has become more resilient and open to things when they don’t always go right and I think that will make her a stronger athlete and will help her when she gets to Fiji,” Brooke said.
Scarlett said she wanted to thank the Moama Bowling Club, Cohuna Farmers’ Market and the Barham Club who all helped her get to Fiji, whether it was via financial support or help with a raffle.
She was also well-supported through the Australian Sports Foundation — a social media platform for athletes of any sport looking to fund raise for sporting events.
“The support from the local community has been amazing, and I can’t wait to get to Fiji and give it my best shot.”
Scarlett will have the support of her whole family who are also making their first overseas trip.
“It’s not easy to get away from the farm, but we can’t wait to get over to Fiji and cheer Scarlett on, we are so very proud of her,” Brooke said.