The athletic 13-year-old was crowned State Cross-Country Champ-ion in late June.

“I wasn’t expecting to get top 20, 10 or even five,” she said.

“The best result I have ever run in this event was 26th so I was pretty surprised.

“I was happy, but really relieved just to have finished the race.”

The medal count continued for Quinn with the help of her under 14 Nowra Athletics Club team-mates Tarni Cunningham, Yolanga Van Arkel and Tarlou Smith.

The combined results of the girls landed them a second place on the NSW podium.

At the NSW All Schools’ Cross-Country Champ-ionships she recorded her best school result. Representing Nowra Christian School, Michaela finished the course in the silver medal time of 10.30.

The race went down to the wire as Quinn and another competitor entered the home straight, neck and neck.

“She put the sprint on at the end and outran the other competitor,” explained Quinn’s coach Sharon Gibb.

“It was great because that’s what we had been preparing for all week in training.”

This is the Worrigee girl’s first year running competitively with the Nowra Athletics Club.

“She runs personal best times almost every Saturday in the club competition,” Gibbs said.

“She is only beginning to scratch the surface of her athletic potential.

“Michaela is a gutsy runner and I was so excited when she got the silver medal.”

Knuckling down at the beginning of the season Quinn decided to take things a bit more seriously.

Her training and commitment has paid off and in two weeks she will head to Geelong to compete against the country’s most talented runners at the Australian Cross-country Championships.

“I’m just hoping to finish,” Michaela joked.

“I’m going there mainly for the experience and to run against competitors from other states.”

Gibbs couldn’t speak more highly of the modest teen and is pleased to see her rewarded.

“She is a pleasure to coach,” she said.

“She is determined, likes to race and works really hard.

“Nationals is a nice reward for all that hard work.”

The Australian Cross-Country Champion-ships will be held in Geelong on August 23.