Estlick draws comparisons to Australia’s fastest female

ASTUTE Ballarat athletics coach Gerrard Keating believes ‘the sky’s the limit’ for young Bacchus Marsh sprinter Mackenzie Estlick.

The former Australian 100m champion says 17-year-old Estlick is right on track for a berth in the Australian team for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, to be staged in the United States in August.

Beyond that, Keating – who helped shape the career of the current fastest Australian woman on the planet and Olympic 100m semi-finalist Torrie Lewis – sees boundless possibilities.

Estlick more than put herself in the frame for a spot in the under-20 Australian team by running an official world junior 100m qualifying time of 11.59 at a High Velocity meet in Geelong earlier this month.

A personal best, Estlick set new Victorian country under-18 and under-20 records.

It’s more evidence that she has put a torrid 2025 behind her in which she battled a broken ankle, requiring her to spend months in a moonboot, and illness.

She only returned to competition in late January.

Keating admits to being amazed but in some respects not surprised with how the Wendouree Athletic Club star’s comeback has played out.

“Mackenzie’s progress so far in 2026 has been staggering considering what she went through from April to December,” Keating said.

“In all honesty I thought her 2025-26 season was all but lost. It can’t be underestimated what she is now running.

“I have never seen resilience like it in my time in the sport. She never panics.

“Whether that is set backs or in competitions. She’s very special.”

In her own view, Estlick exceeded her own expectations in Geelong.

“Due to my injury and scheduling, I had never run at a HVC meet before,” she said.

“These races are for the faster runners in the state from all the clubs in Victoria.

“I was actually hoping to run against Olympian Mia Gross, but unfortunately she only ran the 400m.

“I actually felt excited heading in to the comp, especially after running an 11.72 two weeks before.

“But I honestly didn’t think I would run a huge PB of 11.59 and break three Victorian country records.

“I’m definitely feeling more confident every week.

“Every time I compete at the moment I’m running a new PB, which is incredible considering where I was last year.

“I never imagined I’d come back so much stronger.”

Even the savvy Keating admits to needing adjust his expectations following Estlick’s scintillating performance in Geelong.

 

“After she ran 11.71 the week before, I thought replicating that was possible. But I also thought nothing would surprise me in Geelong,” he said.

“I was confident she would run 11.50s, but the more realistic time frame was nationals (in April).

“Now my thinking for nationals has changed. I firmly believe she will run mid-11.40s.”

That would put her on the plane to the US later this year.

Competition for spots will be fierce, with Keating declaring the under-20 girls standard as the ‘hardest it’s ever been’.

“They only select top two for an individual place and they take five or six in the 4x100m relay,” he said.

“I have full belief she will make the world junior team and it will not surprise me one bit if she makes an individual spot.

“She is getting better and better every single day.

“With Mackenzie’s long term goals, the sky is the limit.

“I coached Torrie Lewis from 11 to 18.5 years old. I knew with Torrie and I know with Mackenzie.

“I used to say I have never seen anything like Torrie in my life, well I have now in Mackenzie.

“If Mackenzie stays on track, which I believe she will, the 2028 Olympics are not out of the question.

“I never thought I would compare anyone with Torrie Lewis, but I put them as exactly the same.”

Estlick’s new Victorian under-20 record gave her something in common with her coach.

Keating too was a former Victorian under-20 men’s country 100m record holder.

A huge next month-and-a-half for Estlick will include state titles at Lakeside Stadium this weekend, followed by a tilt at Stawell.

She will round out the season by competing in the 100m and 200m at her favourite track – the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre – at nationals.

It’s clear there is more than a want to make up for lost opportunities last year driving Estlick in her quest to break new ground.

“I’m definitely making up for lost time, but I’m more determined to show everyone that I’m back better and stronger,” she said.

“While I was injured I was going to the gym three times a week to build up my strength and once I could finally run again I have been training four times a week.

“I want that spot on the World juniors team.”