Each week, we will be publishing an athlete profile interviewing a member of the John Therry community. It only seems fitting that our first athlete profile is the wonderful 2020 Sports Captain - Olivia Southby!
Birthday: 1st April House: Conolly Year: 12 Sports: Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country, AFL, Cricket, Touch and Volleyball
What sports do you participate in?
Track and Field
What has been your greatest sporting achievement?
4th at nationals in the 400m in 2017 and being selected in the Trans Tasman team for NSW in 2015
Who is your sporting hero and why do you look up to them?
Jessica Hull - Australian distance runner who won 3 consecutive junior Australian Athletics Championships in 2013–2015. Hull set Australian and Oceanian indoor 1500 meters records. She graduated from the University of Oregon, where she earned 7 All-American honours and 4 time NCAA Champion. She is my sporting hero as she always has a positive attitude and is always smiling during and after every race
What is your most disappointing sporting moment, and how did you get over it?
Pulling out of the National final in the 800m because I put too much pressure on myself. I spoke to my coach and set a plan for next season and learned to enjoy the moment, instead of getting too nervous and putting too much pressure on myself
What have you learnt about being a part of a John Therry team?
To work with other people who you wouldn’t really speak to when at school
What is your favourite pre-competition snack?
Chicken and rice
What is your pump up song before a race/game?
Thunder- Imagine Dragons
During a normal competitive season, go through your week of training.
Sunday- Long run 8-10km
Monday- Track session
Tuesday- Morning fast 3km run then afternoon hill runs
Wednesday- Track session
Thursday- 5km run in the morning and swim in the afternoon
Friday- Easy run 6-8km Bodyweight circuit
Saturday- RACE DAY
Why do you think sport and physical activity is so important for young people?
It creates discipline and helps young people to learn to work with other people
What positive quality has participating in sport helped you develop?
Resilience and a good work ethic
What is the best thing about John Therry carnivals?
The enthusiasm and excitement everyone has
What are some words of wisdom for younger athletes at John Therry?
Try your best and keep working hard and you will achieve whatever you want
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