British hammer thrower goes from Aberdeen housing scheme to Princeton College
Angela McAuslan-Kelly bridged the hole between rising up in an Aberdeen housing scheme and the hallowed halls of one in all America’s most prestigious instructional institutions.
How the hammer thrower went from Torry to Princeton College is a narrative begging to be informed.
McAuslan-Kelly did so with expertise, dedication and the sort of persistence which is invaluable in athletics.
Now the GB under-20 worldwide – who competed on the World Underneath-20 Championships in Colombia final summer time – is enjoying the ‘lengthy recreation’ once more as she targets someday throwing within the very highest ranges of athletics.
And the story of her rise to prominence on a scholarship at Princeton College is being informed in an outstanding new quick 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 someplace 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 & Area)
That’s what occurred, nonetheless with parental assist from as Angela progressed as a younger thrower at Aberdeen AAC after which Scotland and GB and NI age group groups.
“I began after I was about eight years previous 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 each day and practiced for a couple of hours.
“I’ve had a superb upbringing, I wouldn’t say my dad and mom have the largest revenue, however they work onerous to provide me quite a 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 & Area)
“Then at one stage I acquired this electronic mail from Princeton. It was the primary electronic mail I from any US College.
“My dad informed me to not get over-excited as a result of I hadn’t obtained my Greater 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 Greater 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 assumed: ‘Oh wow, possibly, possibly this can 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 get pleasure from residing on a campus the place the whole lot is actually shut. I attempt to get all my courses scheduled for the morning so I’ve my afternoon free for observe.
“Usually, after we’re in season, we throw 5 occasions every week. We raise three or 4 occasions every week, and after that, I’ll go have dinner with my buddies, 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 folks consider a sports activities scholarship, their thoughts simply goes to being a superb athlete. However you additionally need to work tirelessly in class to get good grades as a result of there’s nonetheless steep teachers requirements you’ve obtained to fulfill to have the ability to go to America.
“I’ve had unimaginable assist from my household. They spend a lot of their time doing issues to assist me get foot ahead in life. They labored onerous to take me competitions. They got here with me to South America in Peru to assist me for the World Junior Championships.”
Angela McAuslan-Kelly (Bobby Gavin)
Fuelling the younger hammer thrower’s journey is a drive to be one of the best athlete she will be. And McAuslan-Kelly has no qualms about aiming excessive.
“I do that sport as a result of I wish to be one of the best at it,” she stated.
“And, to me, success sooner or later would imply, you realize, going to World Champs and/or the Olympics. I’ve had so many different experiences from sport, I’ve made buddies 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. Regardless that I used to be working actually onerous.
“It simply takes time and also you simply need to hold pushing for what you need. If you wish to be champion, it would take ten years, however ultimately you would possibly get there. Even when it’s a small probability, simply hold going and check out. Have some perception in your self.”
Coaching onerous is a life-style selection for therefore 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 purpose or for leisure, even in case you don’t wish to compete in a sport, I believe it’s so good in your psychological well being to maintain match or go to the fitness center frequently,” stated McAuslan-Kelly.
“Should you actually need one thing you simply need to hold pushing it. I by no means thought I might make it this far however I didn’t wish to give up.
“Should you’re anxious about stepping into sport and fearful how folks 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 you’re comfortable and having fun with what you’re doing.’
For McAuslan-Kelly that merely means: keep on throwing.
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