CLOSING FAST: Laura Andreazza (second from right) flashes home to grab third in the 100m at the state titles in Sydney and (inset) proudly displays her bronze medal.
SPRINT star Laura Andreazza has booked her place at the national titles after collecting bronze in the 100m at the NSW All Schools titles at Homebush.
Andreazza stopped the clock in 12.74secs, but her time was affected by her preparation, with injuries playing their part as part of of the Pymble Ladies College track and field team.
"Third at state is just fantastic for her, but she's had a bit of bad luck with injuries this year, so her results considering that are just amazing," Athletics co-ordinator Margaret Hamley said.
"She's had a knee and foot injury over the past year, but unfortunately they are just part and parcel of pushing your body to the absolute maximum.
"So that's something we hope to work through so she can get used to the really regular training.
"But sometimes when you change your training schedule, it just takes a while for the body to adjust."
Hamley said the country kid has impressed school officials with her attitude to balancing academic activities and her training, with her drive to succeed having been rewarded.
"She is just an impressive kid, she's been here for one year and in our year group there are 200 kids and at the end of the year she was elected deputy head of boarding and a prefect," she said.
"A lot of the kids here are aspiring to be good in everything they do, and for Laura to be here for a year and already be in a position of leadership, she's impressed a lot of people."
With Andreazza looking to go two places better than bronze at the nationals later this year, Hamley said the school will make sure she is in peak condition.
"She might have learned a bit of a lesson the hard way in letting injuries go a bit further than what they should but she's certainly soaking everything up and for her this is going to be a start," she said.
