From the time she was 11, when she won her Primary School Cross country race she has been dedicated to the sport of running, the feeling of having a medal around her neck was addictive and inspiring. Earlier this year, she broke the Marlborough Girls College records in both the 800m and 1500m – in the same day. She followed this up with wins in both these events at the Tasman Secondary Schools Champs. She finished 2nd in both events at the South Island Champs in May and followed this up with an emphatic win in the Senior Girls at the Tasman Cross Country Champs. In June she raced in the New Zealand Schools X Country Champs, finishing 16th (out of 113) in the Senior Girls. She has two more years in this grade. Lucy has been selected for the NZ SSAA Cross Country team to travel to the World Cross Country champs in Slovakia in 2020.

I have coached Lucy for the past 2 years and she has emerged as my top female runner. Her achievements are due to her commitment and work ethic as much as her talents in this sport. She is one of the most coachable athletes I have mentored in my 21-year coaching career. She has never backed away from a challenge and runs hard no matter how tough the competition. Lucy has a big career in front of her in the sports of cross country and track and field.

Greg Lautenslager – Coach – National Academy of Distance Running