Their motivations and approaches differ but one aspect is evident in all – they are driven to succeed.

The Standard’s JUSTINE McCULLAGH-BEASY caught up with four south-west athletes digging deep in their chosen sports.

Here Warrnambool cyclist Eddie Worrall, Port Fairy cricketer Maddie Green, Camperdown triathlete Kurt McDonald and Warrnambool swimmer Alex Johnston share their stories.

Age: 14

Location: Warrnambool

Education: Emmanuel College

Sport: Cycling

Average training regime: “When I was training for my nationals, all up I was doing about 15 hours a week. On a Monday training involved getting up reasonably early, doing a one-hour session on the ergo bike (an indoor trainer) and on Tuesday morning I’d get up and ride with the ‘Lattes’ group and that night do another ergo. On Wednesdays I’d get up again and do another ergo session and then maybe that night go out on the road and roll around. On Thursday I’d go out with the group again and then do another ergo at night and on Friday night I’d have another ergo session. Saturday afternoon I’d race over in Port Fairy and on Sunday morning, if there was a group ride I’d go with them.”

Biggest thrill: “It was making the Victorian team and going to Perth for nationals, that was probably my biggest highlight. I really enjoyed that. I’d only been cycling (seriously) shortly and had one big performance and then was on the big stage.”

Biggest sacrifice: “Before I really got into cycling, I was into other sports – footy, swimming and I played a little bit of golf and did the high performance program at Emmanuel College. When I thought I’d give cycling a bit of a crack and I started getting results, I stopped playing footy and golf. I am still doing swimming to keep my fitness up and the high performance.”

Biggest challenge: “When I was in the middle of my training block, I was really tired and struggling for motivation. I had the ‘can’t be bothereds’ – Do I have to do another ergo? Do I have to go out and ride for another two hours? But I had heaps of support from family, friends and coaches so I’ve been pretty lucky.”

Best advice: “There’s been lots of good advice. Des Lane has probably been the biggest motivator. He’s the one who said ‘you should get on the bike, give it a go’. He’s always pushing me to be that little bit better, giving me little tips and keeping me motivated.”

Best memory: “The nationals over in Perth in the time trial where I placed ninth. I didn’t expect to go so well and I just blew it out of the park so I was really happy with that result.”

Long-term goal: “Tour de France would be nice. Nah, just keep riding, don’t wear myself out too early and just enjoy it.”

Biggest inspiration: “The Lane family. They’ve always been around bikes and they got our family into riding bikes and they’ve always been there. We’re really good mates with them and they’re always good people to hang out with.”

Age: 13

Location: Port Fairy

Education: Hamilton Alexandra College

Sport: Cricket

Average training regime: “Tuesdays I train for the under 17 girls’ team at Port Fairy and we play Wednesdays. On Thursdays I train for the Port Fairy boys’ under 15s and then I play on Fridays with them. I have five Vic Country trainings (in the lead up to nationals).”

Biggest thrill: “All the opportunities that have popped up so quickly. I wasn’t expecting everything to happen so quickly but I have been training hard and practicing and it’s all falling into place.”

Biggest sacrifice: “My weekends to go up to Melbourne every now and then but if I want to play cricket at a high level, I am going to have to do that. There isn’t anything major.”

Biggest challenge: “It’s probably the challenge of school work and being able to prioritise that over cricket. The bus ride doesn’t really worry me because I can get everything done on the bus. It’s about an hour and 10 minutes (one-way to school).”

Best advice: “If I make a mistake while I am playing, just to go through my head and think of all the things I have trained to do and then just put that into action.”

Best memory: “Not long ago I went out to bat in the boys’ league and they thought it would be an easy wicket and then I smashed the first few balls for four and then they were eating their own words and weren’t too sure what to do.”

Long-term goal: “As a big dream, I’d like to play for Australia but I am only young so I can’t really predict the future but I would hope that would happen. And even just trying to make one of the Big Bash teams would be an accomplishment for me.”

Biggest inspiration: “Coaching-wise would probably be my parents (Stuart and Brooke) because they push me along and ‘Thomo’ (Andrew Thomson) is my private coach and he’s just helped me. When I made the Western Waves and we got the email that I made the Vic squad, Dad tried a few private coaches for me and then we looked at Thomo and he’s just helped me so much. I’ve improved in everything. When I first went I was bowling and hitting the side of the net and now I am getting it down the pitch.”

Age: 19

Location: Camperdown/Geelong

Education: Deakin University student

Sport: Triathlon

Average training regime: “Monday morning hard swim, Monday afternoon hard run, Tuesday morning long swim, Tuesday night hilly ride, Wednesday morning rest, Wednesday night long run, Thursday morning long swim, Thursday night hard ride, Friday morning speed swim, Friday night hard run, Saturday morning long ride, Saturday afternoon gym session and Sunday morning recovery and afternoon off. It’s about 20 hours of training and 5km is classed as our long swim, our long run is about 15km and the long ride tops out at about 120km.”

Biggest thrill: “Winning Australian champs back in 2015, that was a big deal. I’d had three silver medals at nationals prior to that, so to finally get the breakthrough (in the under 15s at ITU level) was unreal.”

Biggest sacrifice: “I guess it’s the social side, in terms of going out and stuff like that. I have to keep on top of it, in order to keep consistently training and keep healthy.”

Biggest challenge: “The glandular fever into post-viral fatigue was a tough time. I’d come off the back of some injuries and got back into some good form, so to then fall down again was tough but hopefully it’s all behind us.”

Best advice: “It would always be to do it because you love it. The minute you stop enjoying it, you’re not going to reach the highest levels, no matter how good you think you might be.”

Best memory: “It would be my first ever nationals. I was about 13 I believe and it was at the end of my first ever triathlon season, so we went into it with no idea how I could go. I finished second and I think just crossing the line and realising I could be good at the sport and having everyone there – Mum (Lisa), Dad (Dieter) and (brother) Bailey –  was great. At the finish line, everyone was pretty emotional and that was probably the biggest breakthrough moment.”

Long-term goal: “I definitely want to be a world champion… and obviously that’s probably on par with the Olympics. Being a world champion is a massive thing for your sport but I think going to the Olympics is a big thing for the world. The next Comm Games and Olympics after that would be the next big goal.”

Biggest inspiration: “I’d have to go with Dad, not only from a triathlon point of view, but I think from an overall life aspect – running a (plumbing) business, chasing my dreams with me, looking after a family. I just can’t imagine it. I can dedicate all my time to being the best I can at triathlon but he was able to do that alongside so many other things in life and I just couldn’t imagine it to be honest.”

Age: 14

Location: Warrnambool

Education: Emmanuel College

Sport: Swimming

Average training regime: “It’s seven swims and three gym sessions a week. It’s pretty much every day except Sunday. It is most mornings except Wednesdays and it’s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Tuesdays are the double up where you’ve got the swim in the morning, swim in the afternoon and gym after that as well, so Tuesdays are the toughest. It’s about 18-20 hours a week.”

Biggest thrill: “I made nationals this year and got top-20 there in two events (100m and 200m backstroke) and I’ve already made it again for next year and I am hoping to make some more events.”

Biggest sacrifice: “Most weekends are taken up usually so you can’t do anything and can’t play any other sports. I do play a little bit of tennis but that’s about it.”

Biggest challenge: “The biggest challenge is probably waking up early morning at 5am. You just get really tired, so it’s early nights as well. I usually get into bed about 9pm.”

Best advice: "Jayson Lamb (my coach) is just on top of everything you do technique-wise.”

Best memory: “Making the national time was the best moment. It had been a goal for about three years and it finally happened. You have to glance around at all the scoreboards and see your time. I went and hugged the coach and my parents. Also, I threw up after it as well.”

Long-term goal: “Making world championships would be nice. I probably wouldn’t final there or anything but just to make it would be pretty good. I've just got to stick with it (the training) and keep doing what I am doing.”

Biggest inspiration: “Isaac Jones who used to swim for our club but he’s over in America now. He was a world championship swimmer and he was always a good positive role model.”

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