By Marc McGowan
BERWICK athlete Ebony Sturgess is becoming used to exceeding expectations.
Ebony, 10, competes for Waverley Little Athletics Centre and because of the travel factor she trains only an hour and 15 minutes per week at Narre Warren Little Athletics Centre for her sporting pursuit.
“I used to live in Mount Waverley and a lot of my friends are there,” she said.
“It’s good fun and it keeps you fit. I love competing against other clubs.”
Ebony ran, jumped and threw her way to a bronze medal at last month’s state multi-event championships at Llanberris Athletic Reserve in Ballarat.
The championships pit 700 of the best junior athletes in Victoria against each other in five compulsory disciplines – 100m, 800m, long jump, 80m hurdles and discus.
The goal is to find the best all-round athlete, and Ebony proved to be right up there with the best in her age group.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I thought I might come fifth or sixth or something,” the Berwick Primary School grade five student said.
“It’s pretty hard considering you might be good at throwing, but might not be so good at jumping.”
Ebony is hoping her performance kick starts her to a potential state gold medal and entry into the junior development squad.
Her mother, Fiona, is extremely proud of her daughter and thanked Narre Warren coach Steve Fenton for his part in her success.
“I was expecting her to come between 10th and 12th, so coming third was a super big surprise,” she said.
