Juggling several part-time jobs, university study and elite athletics is no easy task, but Catherine Drummond is not your ordinary scholar.
The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws scholar not only studies full time and works four jobs, but also has her sights set on becoming Australia’s best ever high jumper and earning a berth at the 2012 Olympics along the way.
“I’m working a retail job, I work in a law firm, I have two athletics coaching jobs and I’m doing a double degree so life’s busy,” Ms Drummond said.
It has been a stellar season for the 20-year-old, who has raised her personal best to 1.90m, won her first Open Australian Championship title and also claimed her sixth age Australian Championship title along the way.
“I got a nine centimetre personal best which is huge in high jumping terms so I’m ecstatic with how things are going and I’m hoping that they’re going to continue in the coming season,” she said.
“It was amazing to win the Open Australian champs. Whereas previously I’d struggled in the open field, to come out and win in only the second or third time I’d competed at the Nationals was very big and it played a major part in spurring me on to set my sights on higher things.”
The promising athlete certainly has her sights set on bigger goals – she is honing in on the Australian record in the forthcoming season.
“I’d love to break the Australian record this season which is 1.98m and if I get that it would be a World Uni Games qualifier, a World Champs A qualifier, and the Australian record which would be unbelievable,” she said.
And Ms Drummond has got every reason to be confident of eclipsing the mark.
The Clem Jones scholarship holder has just been selected in the Target 2012 Squad, an elite group of 23 athletes born between 1985-1988 that have been deemed by Athletics Australia to have the drive, talent and passion to challenge for a medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
The program involves ongoing support through training camps, medical screenings, information and training sessions as well as a trip to Europe next year to compete in meets during June and July.
Ms Drummond said her childhood dream of wearing the green and gold was on the verge of becoming a reality, but she was adamant she wanted do more than just make up the numbers.
“Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to represent Australia but more than just wanting to make the team to be there, I want to compete to the best of my abilities and I know that one day that will take me to representing Australia.
“I want to go as high as I possibly can, it’s not just about making the team, of course representing Australia is the biggest honour but I want to get there and do my best there; not just be there for the sake of it.”
Media: Kellie-Ann Williams at UQ SPORT (07 3345 6034, kellieannw@uqsport.uq.edu.au)
