The last time you read something about Alesha Bennetts’ Pacific School Games journey, the 12-year-old from Mudgee Little Athletics had just won her third medal.She earned a bronze in the 200, a silver in the 100 and a gold in the 400 metre relay which was quick enough to go down as a New South Wales record.
Not only did Alesha’s relay team set a new, state landmark, it fell 0.01 seconds short of equalising the best ever Australian time.
This all came before her touch football swing where her team scored silver medals on Saturday, finishing second overall to Queensland in a 6-1 loss in the final.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and although Alesha didn’t eat lunch or afternoon tea, she was fueled by a can of spaghetti every morning – her personal favourite.
It wasn’t just the spaghetti that helped her perform, it was the support given by her parents and two young sisters who ventured to South Australia with her.
Getting to spend nine days with her family and meet some of the best junior athletes across the nation was special.
“I swapped some badges with my friends from overseas,” Bennetts said.
“I made lots of friends in my touch team and we were so excited when we medalled.”
Bennetts had to overcome some hurdles throughout the week as she was fighting windy conditions and her own psyche.
“I was really nervous before the 200,” she said.
“It was the first race of the week and I hadn’t ran at nationals before.”
Said conditions made it hard for Bennetts to crack any personal bests which makes her relay team’s achievement even more impressive.
After arriving home on Sunday, Bennetts returned to St Matthews and was met with a reception similar to the one seen during her 100 metre race as her mates tried on her medals and showed them off.
Alesha will spend the rest of December recovering from a massive year of competition, before gearing up for a Little Athletics state tournament in March.
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
Little Athletics Australia
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