From Ithaca Creek State School to University of Wisconsin-Madison, Roberts is on a magic carpet ride

One of Australia’s elite middle distance prospects is on a magic carpet ride from Brisbane to University of Wisconsin-Madison. Meet Milla Roberts here.

Milla Roberts Australian All Schools track and field championships in Brisbane. Picture John Gass

Elite Queensland middle distance runner Milla Roberts will ramp up her booming athletics career when she attends University of Wisconsin, Madison, next year - aiming to use the experience to propel her toward the 2026 World Junior Track and Field championships.

Roberts has been accepted into the USA University which sits in an historic 180-year-old precinct and beside a gorgeous lake with paths leading to the serene Picnic Point.

QUEENSLAND’S 38 ALL SCHOOLS AUSTRALIA GOLD MEDALLISTS

VIDEO: HERE’S 23.15 SECS WHY YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT MEARNS

All this after Roberts first dipped her toe into the sport as a little girl running Ithaca Creek State School, and then around Windsor Park with friends at City North Little Athletics Club.

As both a life, education and sporting experience, Roberts can wish for no more after being accepted into the Uni.

Milla Roberts of City North in 2017. She represented Queensland at the nationals later that year. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

“I am so excited about that. I recently went over to meet the team,’’ Roberts said after her gold medal winning performance at the recent All Schools Australia Athletics Championships.

“I want to keep improving, keep my love of the sport. And I feel like it will help bridge the gap between under-18 and the seniors.

“I’d then love to make the World Junior Championships in 2026 in Oregon.’’

Milla Roberts Australian All Schools track and field championships in Brisbane. Picture John Gass

Whether that will be as a steeple, 1500m or 800m athlete, time will tell, but representing Australia at those championships is the focus.

Roberts’ success at the All Schools was another chapter in the sporting life of this high achiever.

She has consistently been on the podium at state and national championships after winning her first national title aged 10. “And I have just kept enjoying it.’’

RELATED LINKS

MEET THE REMARKABLE 100m ACE THEWBELLE PHILP

30 ATHLETES YOU COULD BE WATCHING AT THE 2032 OLYMPICS

A decorated steeplechase or 1500m runner, Roberts actually won gold as a 800m runner at the All Schools Australia championships in a “big PB time’’ of 2:07.85

Coached by Jayden Russ, Roberts said she ran the 800m “to try something different, just to keep it interesting’’.

“I feel like the power and the strength (from the 800m) helps me get over the barriers in Steeplechase.

“When you run an 800 you have to stay really switched on, whereas in the steeple you are sitting in a pack and you can kind of switch off.’’

Milla Roberts Australian All Schools track and field championships in Brisbane. Picture John Gass

It is little surprise Roberts ended up as a runner, after all “mum always loved running growing up and dad used to do marathons’’.

So after catching the running bug during school carnivals at Ithaca Creek State School, Roberts joined little athletics.

Her sporting career ramped up further when she came across the coaching of Andrew Iselin at Mayne Harriers, and also Eric Brown at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School.

Both Iselin and Brown have coached Olympians - this year Iselin guided Torrie Lewis and Caleb Law to the Paris Games, while Brown coach Ashley Moloney to an historic 2020 Olympic decathlon bronze medal.

And now Jayden Russ (Brisbane Athletics) is Roberts mentor, a relationship which is into his fifth year.

All three were big influences, but Roberts is most grateful to her mother Tina.

Milla Roberts Australian All Schools track and field championships in Brisbane. . Picture John Gass

“I have loved travelling (to competitions) with her. There has been so much to explore with her.’’

And now Roberts is heading to University life in the USA where she will be exposed to world class track meets on a regular basis. And she could not be happier.

“I love competing. I love that feeling, just racing to try and get better,’’ Roberts said.

“And I just really enjoy going for a run. I really look forward to training every week.’’

Originally published as From Ithaca Creek State School to University of Wisconsin-Madison, Roberts is on a magic carpet ride