Dubbo athlete Payton Smede has been selected in the NSW Athletics track and field team to compete in the trans-Tasman challenge against New Zealand early next year.
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She joins a strong team of 30 in the under11/12 age group, from across the state who were selected at the trials held at Blacktown Olympic Stadium on November 7.
Payton will compete in the 100m, 200m and shot put, which is an impressive feat for someone who only became a member of Dubbo Little Athletics Club 12 months ago.
“I always did okay at my school carnivals and just decided it was something I wanted to do,” she said.
“I’ve stopped playing netball this year to concentrate just on my athletics and I’m pretty excited as this will be the biggest competition I’ve ever been to.
“The 200 metres would have to be my best event, I like the 100 metres because it’s a bit shorter but I’m not so good on my starts so the 200 metres gives me time to catch up.
“I like the 60 metre hurdles the most but they are not an event at the trans- Tasman carnival.”
Payton is trained by her father John Smede and coached by Dubbo Little Athletics Ross Poulton.
“I see Ross about once a week and he helps me with my technique,” she said.
“He has really helped with my shotput, he completely changed my routine and I can now throw about three metres further than I used to.
“I attend little athletics on a Friday night and Dad and I train about five days a week, we do endurance, sled for strength and speed on different days.
“I find the endurance really difficult, I have to do 4 x 400m sprints and it’s pretty hard.”
But with great improvements seen in her personal best times of 28.4s in the 200m and 13.36 in the 100m, the hard work is certainly paying off.
In two weeks time, Payton will compete in the zone carnival in Coonamble and then in the new year's carnival in Dubbo, both of which will be good preparation for the trans-Tasman event.
“I think I’ll go pretty well, It’ll be my first time competing against those from another country,” she said.
“I’m hoping I’ll get some personal bests and maybe even get onto the podium.”
“I do get a bit nervous at these bigger meetings, but I just try not to think about it by doing stretches or something to keep me occupied before the race.
“My times are much better than they were last year so I’m starting to enjoy it more now that I’m improving.”
