Local Sports Star nominee Kaiya Buchanan hurdling her way to more success
KAIYA Buchnan, one of three talented sisters, certainly has the strong competitive genes which will hold her in good stead come the big moments.
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KAIYA Buchnan, one of three talented sisters, certainly has the strong competitive genes which will hold her in good stead come the big moments.
Her siblings Tamsin, 15, and Ella, 13, — a former Rouse Hill Times JSS nominee — have shown outstanding form in netball, football and athletics and Kaiya is continuing the outstanding family tradition.
For now, the 14-year-old Kaiya is flying high in her athletics, smashing the 200m hurdles record at the regional record (29.09 seconds), winning the gold medal in U14 80m hurdles and a silver in 200m hurdles at the NSW Little Athletics State Championships.
Kaiya, this week’s nominee for the Local Sports Star Award, is also the proud holder of the gold medal in the NSW Little Athletics State Multis Championships which features 200m, 800m, 80m hurdles, long jump, shot put and discus events.
In addition, the Rouse Hill local’s fifth spot in the 200m at the senior state and nationals — specially as she had just taken up this event — is also up there with her top achievements this season.
“I have liked hurdles since I was very little though I don’t know why,” the Rouse Hill teen said.
“My regional record was 29.09 seconds and my nationals fifth place was 29.54.
“Little Athletics 200m hurdles is different to seniors 200m hurdles as there are 10 flights of hurdles in the seniors and only five flights in LA.
“So the seniors races are generally slower times.
“My biggest achievement this season is probably getting gold in the 80m hurdles at state and also gold at the state multis because I have improved a lot from last year in those events.”
She is trained by coach Graham Garnett and represents Rouse Hill High School in cross county, football, athletics, touch footy, netball and Oztag.
“My long terms goals are to hopefully represent Australia in either soccer or athletics, and my short term goals are to work hard so that I can achieve my long term goals,” Kaiya said.
“My next goal for athletics is to get asked to the U15s AIS training camp in September.
“I would like to coach at the Hills Athletics Academy which is run by Graham Garnett and Howard Searle, hopefully from next season.”
■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.
■ To nominate someone or find out more about the program visit: localsportsstars.com.au
Nominate now
■ The Local Sports Stars program is searching for outstanding athletes aged under 18, as well as those that love and contribute to making sport a great experience for everyone.
■ We also want to celebrate the parents, coaches and volunteers that help make it all possible.
■ There are five categories to nominate people in: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Star Team and Service to Sport.
■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.
■ To nominate someone or find out more about the program visit: localsportsstars.com.au
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