Sprinter Elly Buckholz will enter next month’s Oceania titles with increasing confidence

Sprinter Elly Buckholz will enter next month’s Oceania Championships in Townsville fortified by increasing confidence in her ability. She may be diminutive, but Buckholz is growing in statue under the coaching of Mayne Harriers’ Andrew Iselin.

Caboolture sprinter Elly Buckholz will enter next month’s Oceania Championships in Townsville fortified by increasing confidence in her ability.

She may be diminutive, but Buckholz is growing in statue on the athletics track under the coaching of Mayne Harriers’ Andrew Iselin.

The turning point was winning the 100m All Schools title in cyclonic conditions in Cairns last December.

Caboolture's Elly Buckholz, who trains at Mayne Harriers, throws her hands in the air after winning the 100m at the All Schools nationals in Cairns, 2018.

“My first national medal was a gold medal,’’ she recalled.

“We had a head wind, a -1.7 head wind pushing us back and I felt advantaged in that because I use my power a lot through the ground and I felt I ran really well through the head wind.

“I could not believe it (finishing first).

“I thought maybe a third, maybe a fourth.

“Then my aunty is looking at me and pointing No.1. Then they called my name.

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“I never believed that could have happened.

“I have a lot of trouble believing in myself. And from that moment on I ended up getting a lot more courage.

“And now I have made my first Australian team from the nationals after that.’’

Sprinter Elly Buckholz of Mayne Harriers

A young women proud of her aboriginal culture, the past student of Caboolture State High School is still moved by her selection in the under 20 Australian team bound for the Oceania titles.

“I am really stoked and super happy. Mum and I actually cried (when they heard),’’ said Buckholz, whose has a personal best time of 11.89 seconds.

“I had no words. I could not believe it happened.

“I have been training my butt off. It is crazy what you have to go through mentally and physically and I have had such great support from Andrew (Iselin, coach) and my mum who is my biggest No. 1 supporter.

“It is really taxing on the body and mentally. You might be tired or a bit sore and not want to go to training, but you want it that bad, you go to training. It is a determination and patience game.’’

With her gold medal last December at the Australian All Schools in Cairns.

She said joining Iselin at Mayne Harriers last April was the turning point.

“I feel like Andrew is scientifically up there with the athletics. It is not just the gym and running, it is his focus on specific muscle groups and it has really helped me,’’ the Deception Bay Little Athletics Centre junior said.