Jessica Hull is our 13th Athlete to speak to us about making the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships Team. Members of the team will compete in Eugene (USA), from July 22nd to 27th 2014.
How did you get involved in Athletics?
I started athletics with Albion Park Little Athletics Club in the under 8’s after I did my first school cross country race in year 2 and loved it. Dad had always been involved in athletics and lots of sport when he was a kid so mum and dad encouraged me to give it a try when they saw how much I enjoyed running. I joined my club, Kembla Joggers, when I was nine and have been apart of Little Athletics and Athletics NSW from then onwards.
When you first heard that you made the team, what was your initial reaction?
It was lunchtime at school when I got the call, so it was lovely to have all my friends there excited for me. I rang dad (also my coach) straight after to let him know we’d made the team and I think it took a while to sink in that I’d achieved the goal we’d been working towards for a while now.
Are you doing anything differently in preparation for this competition?
We’re keeping the same sort of outline to what has worked for us to get to this point, with a little bit more aerobic-based work included than usual, and some different sort of sets at training, which has kept it all interesting. I’m really enjoying the whole preparation process and looking forward to racing throughout the pre-departure period.
What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Eugene (USA)?
I’m pretty excited for the whole trip actually, it’s an incredible opportunity to learn from and adapt to competing in a different environment. I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere at the World Juniors which will be amazing due to athletics being a huge sport in Eugene.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in this sport?
I’ve got a couple of inspirations in the sport including Tirunesh Dibaba, Zoe Buckman and Kerryn McCann, but I also really look up to Sally Fitzgibbons who is an amazing all-round sports person and doesn’t give in. Dad has definitely inspired me to keep chasing my goals as well.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to become a professional Athlete?
Something that I have learnt is to take all of the ups and downs that come with being involved in sport and learn from them. If something doesn’t come off how you had planned or falls short of your original goal, put it into perspective, use it as a motivator and move forward and take the next opportunity available to tick it off.
