ARARAT - After appearing in three Victorian Athletic League women's finals, Ararat athlete Sarah Blizzard knew her breakthrough win was near.
The 15-year-old collected her first winner's sash a fortnight ago after blitzing the field to record a significant win in the 120 metres Barry Plant Women's handicap at St Albans.
Blizzard, off nine metres, defeated Rita Pana (21m) and Patricia Fox (9m) in a time of 14.75.
The Marian College student was thrilled with her effort, although she did not expect to win so convincingly.
"I'd been running really well all season, but my team mate Julia (Boatman) was in the race, as well as another team mate from Ballarat, so I was pretty nervous," Blizzard said.
"I didn't realise how much I'd won by until I saw the photos."
Blizzard, who chalked up her 45th VAL start at St Albans, said she loved competing.
"There's heaps of people. There's all the other runners and their families and it's a lot of fun going to the competitions together," she said.
Blizzard had plenty of support on the day, with the Marcus Cooper stable well represented at St Albans.
Cooper also impressed at the meeting, claiming second place in the feature event, the 120-metre St Albans Sports Club and Brimbank Council Gift.
Cooper (11.25m) recorded a narrow second to Matthew Mifsud (11.25m), with Cam Dunbar (6.75m) placing third.
The Ararat running coach was pleased with his performance and was full of praise for Blizzard, who he said had been consistently improving.
"I knew when she ran so well at Maryborough she was there abouts, but to see her up and about and to win so convincingly was a bit of a shock," he said.
Cooper also paid tribute to Julia Boatman, who won the women's 70-metre race at Maryborough, for making her first women's gift final.
"Phoebe Brady also made her first appearance on the VAL circuit. She got a bit of a shock, I don't think she realised it was so hard," he said.
"Lachie Malloy ran another outstanding 400 metre race, Corey Heard returned after a long absence and has improved from last time already and long distance runners, Tayla Notting and Ruby Klemm were in the mix until the last 200 metres, but they didn't quite finish it off."
The Cooper stable will again be out in force at the Avondale Heights and St Bernards Gift meetings this weekend.
Blizzard is hoping to continue her good form, which will serve her well for the next step in her running career, which involves a trip to Canada mid-year.
Blizzard will compete in an annual athletics meet in British Columbia, run by Sports Travel Australia.
The tour provides athletes with an opportunity to travel and compete internationally, without being part of a national team.
"It's an 18 day tour starting in Vancouver. I had to apply to get in," Blizzard said.
"I found out two days before Christmas, so it was pretty exciting! I can't wait."
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