By JARROD POTTER
THERE aren’t many better ways to return from injury than what Belgrave’s Bree Warren did – earning a state championship.
Warren, 17, who attends Haileybury College at Berwick, had been laid out with a long-term foot injury but made her return count in the best way possible at the Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships.
Taking to the famous blue track at Lakeside Stadium, Warren flew around the course in 8.04.99 minutes to claim the state title in the under-18 women’s 2000m steeplechase.
Without anything to base her form – after the long-term lay off – she just wanted to finish, let alone pick up the win.
“I had been injured for the last two or three months with my left foot, so it was my first track race back and I wasn’t sure how I was going to do,” Warren said.
“I’m a long distance runner – so it’s a long distance event, with a few barriers involved, but it was pretty good.
“I just wanted to get through it and I was happy with the race.”
Rising up through the ranks – since starting her running journey as an eight-year-old at Knox Little Athletics Centre – she has switched to the Knox Athletics Club and Warren is eager to make her return to cross-country competition next year, where she can hopefully earn another place on the state cross-country team.
The long-distance specialist will take her talents to Adelaide next month for the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships, held 5 to 7 December.
