It is the Ss Michael and John Primary School student’s second consecutive gold medal at the state level. 

She competed against about 100 students to take the title.  

“It was pretty cool and it was pretty hard as well,” she said. 

Daisy will now travel to Hobart for national competition from August 11 at the Rokeby Police Academy. 

Daisy said she was training twice a week before the state competition. 

“Now I am going to start training three times a week. Some mornings I go down with the running group and I (also) train down the road,” she said.  

“(The best part) is the end of the race … how it feels.” 

Daisy placed sixth in Australia in 2016 and said she wanted to do better in 2017. 

Daisy said she had made many friends from racing in the state competition. 

Daisy keeps in touch with her friend Jess and they send regular emails to each other. 

They also see each other at state school athletics days, Daisy’s mother Emelia Sudholz said. 

Jess placed seventh and missed out on a chance at nationals in 2017, with only the top six from each state qualifying for the next level. 

Daisy was excited for this season more than any other and has set goals for herself – both in the short term and longer term.

“I want to make it to the women’s AFL,” Daisy said. 

“I play for the Saints with the under-12 boys.” 

Daisy enjoys show jumping and had her first day on July 15. 

Emelia said Daisy was “amazing”.

“She’s such a strong kid – not just running but she’s mentally strong,” she said. 

“I’m amazed by her strength and she’s so unassuming about it.

“It’s a bit surreal. I sometimes forget she is the fastest 11 year-old in Victoria.”