General News
3 March, 2021
Emily Morden achieves national dream
TIMBOON athlete Emily Morden is set to realise one of her dreams next month after she qualified for the Victorian team recently.
TIMBOON athlete Emily Morden is set to realise one of her dreams next month after she qualified for the Victorian team recently.
Morden claimed a gold, silver and bronze medal at the Victorian State Track and Field Championships held over the past two weekends, booking a spot to the national championships in the process.
She won the under 20 female 1500 metres and took out bronze in the 3000 metre steeplechase on the opening weekend before claiming silver in the 800 metres as the championships wrapped up last weekend.
The 17 year-old said she was delighted with the results and was already excited for her trip to compete against the nation’s best.
“It’s a dream come true,” Morden said.
“Probably for the last two years I thought it was within my reach – I always thought it would be amazing to one day reach nationals but only from two years ago I thought maybe I could one day get to nationals.
“It’s still sinking in, it’s very exciting. More the win in the 1500 is still sinking but to win it was unbelievable.”
Despite a slow start to the 1500 metres, Morden said the race panned out perfectly as she crossed the line in a time of four minutes and 41.8 seconds.
“It wasn’t the best start, I was completely misbalanced but I was able to catch up and the race went beautifully from there,” she said.
“I had the best tactics and the race flowed so well. I kept up with the lead group until there was 300 to go and then I kicked clear and chased the last one down in the final straight.
“I couldn’t believe it when I did it, I was so shocked but so happy.”
The 3000 metre steeplechase tested Morden throughout, and although she finished well behind the victor, she set a new personal best of 11 minutes and eight seconds.
“That was a tough race,” she said.
“Being only my second steeplechase I’m still not quite efficient trying to get over the hurdles at the speed of the other girls.
“It was quite hard work but I was still able to get to the finish line which I was really happy with.
“I cut down my time by a minute on my first one which was great.”
The 800 metres held last Saturday offered a new experience for Morden, contesting heats before the final.
She won her heat but showed her tactical hand, with the girl she defeated, Ashlee Treagus, then defeating her in the final.
“It was the first time I’d done heats and I won my heat which may not have been the best move tactically,” Morden said.
“But the girl who won in the 800 really deserved it, she ran beautifully.
“I tried to use the same tactic I used for the 1500 and beat her in the final straight but she wasn’t having any of it.”
Morden said she enjoyed her state championships but was now focusing on the Australian Track and Field Championships which will be held between April 12 and 21.
“It was a brilliant experience and I’m really thankful I had the opportunity to compete,” she said.
“Nationals will be in Sydney in April but I will get more confirmation hopefully this week.
“I’ll probably spend this week doing recovery and then we’ll work out a plan to target nationals, especially once the program becomes more specific.”