Helena Troschke didn't just test out the track and field. She jumped right into it by joining the Airdrie Aces Athletics Club.
"I think it's important with everything that's valuable to you, you have to make it a priority," said Troschke, who trains three times a week with the Aces in addition to working with Olds High School's throwing coach, Rachel Andres.
Her athletic background also includes playing some soccer in elementary school.
She danced for 11 years and approached it the same way as athletics – without half measures.
"When I danced, I made it a priority to do my best and keep that commitment because I think the more committed you are, the better you'll succeed," she said.
Although still new to the sport, the 15-year-old is headed to Leduc this week to compete for Zone 2 at the Alberta Summer Games. She will be in three events: shot put, discus and hammer throw.
Troschke said she was surprised to qualify but is looking forward to the opportunity, even if she's a bit nervous.
"I've come a long way since I started. It's been really cool to see from September when I started until now, how there's been a big improvement, especially with my hammer throw," she said.
Her older brother Andreas is also a track and field athlete, and a big reason why she's chosen to focus on throwing .
"I was always interested watching him do his hammer throw and I thought if I ever joined track, I would really want to try that. And throughout the school track team, I always enjoyed doing shot put as well. Discus, actually it was introduced by my dad," she said.
The distances for Troschke's best throws are currently: 8.18 metres (m) in shot put, 34.38 m in hammer throw and 17.82 m in discus.
She said it took until February for her to nail down the throwing techniques. Dancing gave her a foundation of gross motor skills to build upon.
"For my throwing events, I noticed when I'm in the circle doing my turns, the dance background really helps with stability and turning. Every time, people say I'm so graceful when I'm turning," she said.
"When I danced, I made it a priority to do my best and keep that commitment because I think the more committed you are, the better you'll succeed." HELENA TROSCHKE, 15
