Raising the bar
Maynard’s golden run hitting new marks
ATHLETICS: Natural talent might help you reach the top of your sporting field, but Nicole Maynard knows only hard work will keep you there.
The 20-year-old Toowoomba university student has been a stand-out track-and-field performer since her early school days and her 2017 results have only enhanced her reputation as one the state’s most versatile athletes.
Maynard has just wrapped up a prolific three months to maintain her career momentum since graduating this year to open level.
Her mid-year roll began at the July Down Under Meet at the Gold Coast where she won gold in the open women’s 400-metre hurdles and women’s long jump.
She also finished third in the open 400 metres.
Maynard was again in the medals last month at the Australian University Games at the Gold Coast with gold in the 400-metre hurdles and bronze in the 400 metres and long jump.
She recorded a PB in the hurdles with a time of 61.21secs and a PB run of 56.32 in the 400 event to be named the most successful USQ track athlete at the games.
Sandwiched in between her gold medal efforts was a career first.
Maynard turned her attention to the Ipswich Lightning Women’s Gift where she raced to victory in the 120-metre sprint from a handicap of 11.5 metres.
Maynard is in the third year of her primary school PE teacher uni degree but remains focused with coach Neil McCoy on the 2018 state and national titles.
“I performed better than I expected at the uni games with two PBs,” she said.
“I’ve upped my training and gym work while I’m also incorporating some pool work into my program.
“I’m happy to continue focusing on my three events for now and I do enjoy the challenge of gift running.”