Hurdler, runner and education student Tanielle Crase has her sights set on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and beyond to the world University Games in Korea.
Primary education student Tanielle, who hails from Chambers Flat in the Logan area, aims to major in physical education and admits she has to work hard to balance her studies with a budding career as a 100m hurdler that has had its fair share of injuries and training setbacks.
Griffith University already holds an unusual pedigree in hurdling with a star Alumnus in Commonwealth and Olympic Gold Medallist hurdler Sally Pearson and her training partner New Zealand representative hurdler and Commonwealth Bronze medallist Andrea Miller, who works as a physio at the Griffith Physiotherapy and Active Health Centre.
That famous Aussie and Kiwi duo having trained together at the Gold Coast campus in preparation for the London Olympics of 2012.
For Taniele, a member of the Griffith Sports College, making the finals in the 100m hurdles at the Australian University Games in September was the key to rebuilding her confidence after tearing her hamstring at the Queensland Junior Championships earlier this year.
“I came fourth in my main event, the 100 metre hurdles, at the Australian uni games and ran a personal best,” said Tanielle.
“Then I managed a third in the 100 metre sprint, which was another good achievement for me.
“I want to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year, but my main goal is to make the 2015 World University Games in Korea. Then I will work towards the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil and, of course, the 2018 commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.”
Tanielle’s dedication to her sport and the amount of training it requires has seen her overcome injuries and operations that would cause many to give up but she remains undeterred.
“I have had a pretty tough run in athletics so far, starting with knee surgery in 2009, which took six months to recover from, and stomach surgery on a 9cm cyst later that same year,” she said.
“After recovering from those two surgeries, I went to the national junior titles in 2010 and won a bronze in the 100 metre hurdles followed by a silver in 2011. I qualified for the Commonwealth Youth Games, but fractured my wrist during selection and could not compete.
“When I had recovered from my wrist injury, I tripped over a hurdle during training, busted my knee again and had to go through surgery which forced me out of the Junior Nationals in 2012.
“That was followed by tearing my hamstring at the Queensland Junior Championships in November of 2012.
“I thought I might miss the uni games, but I managed to recover in time and join the Griffith team, which has helped me to feel more confident again.”
With 10 years experience on the track and a strong will to survive the physical setbacks of her athletics career, Tanielle hopes to achieve many of her goals and become a role model for the school students she is yet to take under her wing.
Find out more aboutstudying educationand the Griffith Sports College
