Angela McAuslan-Kelly bridged the hole between rising up in an Aberdeen housing scheme and the hallowed halls of certainly one of America’s most prestigious instructional institutions.
How the hammer thrower went from Torry to Princeton College is a narrative begging to be instructed.
McAuslan-Kelly did so with expertise, dedication and the form of endurance which is invaluable in athletics.
Now the GB under-20 worldwide – who competed on the World Below-20 Championships in Colombia final summer season – is taking part in the ‘lengthy sport’ once more as she targets at some point throwing within the very highest ranges of athletics.
And the story of her rise to prominence on a scholarship at Princeton College is being instructed in an outstanding new brief documentary by (Aberdeen-based) Urbane Media for scottishathletics.
“I grew up in Torry, Aberdeen within the North East of Scotland,’ stated Angela, within the video ‘From Torry to Princeton’ about her athletics journey and transferring to the Ivy League school in New Jersey.
“There are stereotypes about what Torry is like, it’s a decrease socio-economic place. I used to be determined to get out and transfer some place else, as a result of I simply wanna see the world like there’s a lot else on the market.
“However I by no means in 1,000,000 years thought I’d find yourself in America.”
Angela McAuslan-Kelly (Princeton Observe & Discipline)
That’s what occurred, nonetheless with parental help from as Angela progressed as a younger thrower at Aberdeen AAC after which Scotland and GB and NI age group groups.
“I began once I was about eight years outdated as a result of my mum thought I had an excessive amount of power,’ she added.
“I began hammer throwing in March and by August I used to be the British age group champion as a result of I simply went out on daily basis and practiced for a number of hours.
“I’ve had a very good upbringing, I wouldn’t say my dad and mom have the largest earnings, however they work arduous to provide me a whole lot of alternatives, I’m very grateful for that. I by no means anticipated to have the ability to go to America, I by no means thought I used to be a ok athlete.
Angela McAuslan-Kelly (Princeton Observe & Discipline)
“Then at one stage I obtained this electronic mail from Princeton. It was the primary electronic mail I from any US College.
“My dad instructed me to not get over-excited as a result of I hadn’t obtained my Larger grades again but, and I used to be fairly nervous about that. So, I simply thought, ‘that is actually cool, I’d actually prefer it to work out’.
“I obtained my Larger grades again and it was 5 band one As after which I threw a 5 metre PB at Scottish Champs to my first Scottish gold. And I believed: ‘Oh wow, possibly, possibly this may occur’.
Inside a few weeks, McAuslan-Kelly had been invited for a recce go to to Princeton and now she is there completely on an athletics scholarship.
“Everybody’s very nice and I actually take pleasure in residing on a campus the place the whole lot is de facto shut. I attempt to get all my courses scheduled for the morning so I’ve my afternoon free for observe.
“Sometimes, once we’re in season, we throw 5 instances every week. We raise three or 4 instances every week, and after that, I’ll go have dinner with my mates, after which I’ll simply return to my room and I’ll both go work a library shift or I’ll do my homework.
“When individuals consider a sports activities scholarship, their thoughts simply goes to being a very good athlete. However you additionally must work tirelessly at school to get good grades as a result of there’s nonetheless steep lecturers requirements you’ve obtained to fulfill to have the ability to go to America.
“I’ve had unbelievable help from my household. They spend a lot of their time doing issues to assist me get foot ahead in life. They labored arduous to take me competitions. They got here with me to South America in Peru to help me for the World Junior Championships.”
Angela McAuslan-Kelly (Bobby Gavin)
Fuelling the younger hammer thrower’s journey is a drive to be the perfect athlete she could be. And McAuslan-Kelly has no qualms about aiming excessive.
“I do that sport as a result of I wish to be the perfect at it,” she stated.
“And, to me, success sooner or later would imply, , going to World Champs and/or the Olympics. I’ve had so many different experiences from sport, I’ve made mates for all times. Don’t be embarrassed about aiming excessive, as a result of I used to assume it’d be foolish if I stated, ‘Oh, I wish to be Scottish champion, I wish to be British champion’ as a result of I simply felt I didn’t have what it takes. Though I used to be working actually arduous.
“It simply takes time and also you simply must maintain pushing for what you need. If you wish to be champion, it would take ten years, however finally you would possibly get there. Even when it’s a small likelihood, simply maintain going and check out. Have some perception in your self.”
Coaching arduous is a life-style selection for thus many aspiring athletes however McAuslan-Kelly thinks everybody and anybody ought to contemplate how being energetic can profit their psychological well being.
“Whether or not you’re doing it for a aggressive motive or for leisure, even for those who don’t wish to compete in a sport, I feel it’s so good to your psychological well being to maintain match or go to the health club repeatedly,” stated McAuslan-Kelly.
“If you happen to really need one thing you simply must maintain pushing it. I by no means thought I might make it this far however I didn’t wish to stop.
“If you happen to’re anxious about entering into sport and apprehensive how individuals will see you, don’t fear about it. Individuals are worrying about themselves greater than they’re worrying about you.
“My recommendation is: be sure to’re pleased and having fun with what you’re doing.’
For McAuslan-Kelly that merely means: keep it up throwing.
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