Very few people could find positives from being stuck at home during the peak of the COVID-enforced lockdown last year but for Isabelle Russell it helped set her on a path to becoming a national champion.
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Russell was named Dubbo's Young Sportsperson of the Year on Tuesday during the Australia Day ceremony at Victoria Park.
It came after a stellar 2020, one which featured three gold medals at the Track National Championships in the under 15 age division, the title of NSW Country champion, and various other accolades and medals.
One things which really helped Russell hit those heights was the determination she showed during the lockdown.
While the majority of competitions and races were cancelled, Russell took it as an opportunity to improve and increase her training.
"It was tough. We didn't get any races during COVID which was different but at the same time it was good to be able to get a solid training block during the lockdown," she said on Tuesday.
"I didn't lose too much motivation but it is always easier when you have a goal to strive for and something to work towards."
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Russell's award on Tuesday continued a tremendous run for Dubbo Cycle Club.
Riders from Dubbo have regularly achieved state and national glory, helping the club become the very best in the country.
Haylee Fuller, who last week was the youngest competitor in the national Festival of Cycling in Adelaide, was awarded the Young Sportsperson honour last year, and Russell said it was special to be a part of such success.
"I feel really honoured. Especially given the number of talented young people in Dubbo," she said of the award.
"It (Dubbo Cycle Club) is really good. Its such a supportive environment and good for athletes of all ages and abilities to develop as cyclists.
"It's really exciting and good to see everyone's hard work pay off."
There's no doubt Russell's development has been one of the most exciting aspects of the club in recent years.
The talented teen started 2020 with silver and bronze at the state championships in January and while it was a memorable result she wanted more, driving her to work so hard during the lockdown which shut down the majority of sport across the country.
She emerged in July a vastly improved rider and earning a spot on the podium in all three stages of the Hunter Junjior Road Tour she helped her team win gold in the time trial at the Sydney Road Championships while she also won silver in both the road race and individual time trial.
But the best was yet to come.
While COVID forced the Track National Championships to become a virtual event it mattered little to Russell as she won gold in three of the five events and silver another against a strong field.
She then went into the NSW Country Track Championships as one of the best under 15 riders in the country and despite stepping up to the under 17s division there she won all three events to be crowned champion rider.
"I've been quite happy with what I've been abler to achieve the last couple of years," she said before, like so many other Dubbo riders, heaping praise on the club's esteemed coaches.
"It's been good to achieve so much and a lot of thanks goes to Gus (Dawson) and Vaughn (Eather), who've helped me achieve so much."
Russell is now working towards the 2021 track state and national championships alongside her Dubbo teammates.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
