Crowe flying on athletics track

ROSS Creek sprinter Grace Crowe is speeding towards an elite athletic career.

In the 2022 to 2023 season the 14-year-old POD Squad runner has won the under 16 women’s 100 and 200-metre sprints at the 2023 Victorian Track and Field Championships, and the under-15 100 and 200 metres at the 2023 Victorian Little Athletics Track and Field Championships.

At the 2023 Victorian Country Track and Field Championships, the Loreto College student won the under-16 100, four-by-100 relay, and the women’s open four-by-100 relay.

But competing in various events at this year’s Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane was a highlight for her, where she won bronze in the under-16 women’s four-by-100-metre relay.

“I had so many friends there, and it was a nice social competition,” she said. “I saw my friend who I met at Australian All-Schools last year, and we were in the same events.”

As part of the POD Squad, Crowe is coached by Tony Martin and Peter O’Dwyer, running two nights a week, and undertaking strength and conditioning work at RAD Centre in Wendouree.

Crowe is a member of the Athletics Victoria Target Talent Program, and currently holds under-16 Ballarat and under-15 Victorian relay records, and two Ballarat Harriers records for under-14 100 metres and under-15 long jump.

From her time in Little Athletics, Crowe still holds nine records, from the under-nine to under-15 age groups.

“I started in under-nines and as soon as I started to run, I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I liked sprinting in particular so I focused on that, and it all fell into place.

“Tony has been there since under-nines and has always given me advice about how to push my hardest.

“I’m going to keep on running for as long as I want to, and some friends and I would like to go to America to do college and run while we’re there.”

Reminiscing on her daughter’s achievements, conduct, and the bonds she has formed with other young athletes across Australia, mum Jane Crowe said the family could not be prouder.

“She ran at the Vic All Schools last year representing Loreto and qualified fastest for the 100-metre final,” Mrs Crowe said.

“She woke on the day of the final unwell and had mild migraine symptoms, but she wanted to run. She ran the final and came fourth.

“The school informed us that they had received an email from a parent of one of her competitors… and they were extremely appreciative and impressed at the way she congratulated her fellow competitors in such a close finish.

“That was the best. It meant so much to us and it represents what she is like; humble in victory, gracious in defeat is what we have always said to her.

“She just loves it, and we get to go along on the journey.”

As a netballer, Crowe is a member of the Ballarat Swans, and plays with the Ballarat Netball Association squad, and Central Highland Region state netball teams.

For her exceptional athletics achievements, Crowe was recently presented with a Citizen Recognition Award at the July Golden Plains Shire council meeting.