BATHURST cyclist Tyler Puzicha has beaten a talented field of rivals to take out the coveted Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) Athlete of the Year award.
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Puzicha, 13, enjoyed a stellar 2017 in which she picked up three gold medals and broke two records for her age group at the Australian Junior Track Championships, riding as part of the NSW team.
Along with her victory in the Athlete of the Year category Puzicha was also crowned the WRAS Cyclist of the Year.
Puzicha was taken aback by receiving the top honour.
“I was really excited. I almost cried on stage because I wasn’t expecting it. I was only expecting a certificate just for being there,” she said.
“Thanks to my coach Glen Carter I was able to do it.
“The highlight of the year was my two records at nationals, and one of those came on my grandmother’s birthday. I was very emotional that day.”
Puzicha’s two records came in the under 15s women’s flying 200m and standing 500m.
Finding the records was an impressive achievement in itself, but making those times as a bottom age rider makes it all the more remarkable.
The gifted cyclist has been spurred on the WRAS award and can’t wait to take another crack at next year’s nationals.
“I really hope I can stay with it because I’ve been going well,” she said.
“My WRAS coaches Toireasa Gallagher, Marian Renshaw and Vaughn Eather have helped me a lot through the season, and helped me pick up some new skills and try new things.
“It would be great to try and go back and break my records, because that would be one of the biggest achievements I could get.”
Puzicha’s father, Michael, couldn’t be prouder of his daughter’s latest achievement.
“We were all shocked with this one, because the standard of athletes that are in the academy is extraordinary, especially in the cycling squad,” he said.
“For her to get both Athlete of the Year and Cyclist of the Year is an astonishing result.”
It was a great night at the awards for Bathurst WRAS members.
The Chairman’s Award for Excellence was presented to another Bathurst cyclist, Kalinda Robinson.
I was really excited. I almost cried on stage because I wasn’t expecting it.
- Tyler Puzicha
Squad Athletes of the Year prizes went to Shane David (basketball) and Jakiya Whitfeld (individual).
The Coach’s Award recipients, for the most dedicated or improved athletes, went to Bathurst’s Cameron Jackson (golf) and Amy Belfanti (netball).
Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, announced that both Puzicha and Orange athlete Jack Connors will attend a parliamentary reception in Sydney on September 19.
