Athletics Australia – News – Julian Wruck: A Spark igniting the Flame

In the midst of birthday celebrations and packing his suitcase for the 13th IAAF world junior championships in Moncton (CAN), Julian Wruck takes time out from his busy schedule to write this week's athlete diary.

An athletics scholarship-holder at Texas Tech University in Lubbock (USA), Julian, together with pole vault prodigy Liz Parnov, who will line up at next month's Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, will this year compete on the international stage at both a junior and senior level.

After taking to the throws cage as a member of the 36-strong Australian Spark team later this month, Julian will shift his focus to the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi (IND) from October 3.

Wruck, who took bronze in the men's discus throw at the Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials in April to book his ticket to New Delhi, returned to Texas following the national titles to become the NCAA West Regional discus throw champion with a heave of 58.70m in late May and place third at the NCAA championships in June with a best effort of 58.03m.

Athletics Australia wishes Julian a very happy 19th birthday today and wishes him and his Spark teammates the best of luck as they depart our shores for Canada on Thursday for the 2010 IAAF world junior titles.

Enjoy!

Entry 3: Julian Wruck

2010 has been the most exciting year of my athletic endeavours by far, and it’s not even close to over!

Having finished my first year in the American college system I can say without a doubt the move was no mistake – I’m loving it! I took a pretty big risk in travelling over to Texas in search of new viewpoints and experience in the discus, but I’ve never looked back since.

During the college season early this year I got to meet hundreds of athletes from all around America including Olympic medallists, world championships medallists and upcoming young talent, most of whom were very friendly and helpful. I was quite disappointed at my performances throughout this season; there were a few opportunities here and there that I should have seized and didn’t, but it’s all just good learning experience and will make me even more hungry moving forward.

In Canada, at the world junior championships, my goal is to win, and I firmly believe that I can. I have thoroughly enjoyed my training in the lead-up to this meet and I know that I have trained harder than any competitor I will face, which convinces me that I have the best chance to win it.

The Commonwealth Games isn’t something I have put much thought into yet. I was very excited to receive selection to attend this meet and I think I will enjoy it a whole lot. I am not throwing distances that make me confident going into this event but I am trying to keep my mind on one thing at a time. I will focus on the Commonwealth Games after the world juniors are over knowing I will have about three months to prepare for it, which is plenty of time.

As for my studies, I’m currently double-majoring in Philosophy and Psychology at Texas Tech University after switching from Exercise and Sports Science, a change I’m very glad I made. Growing up, like many kids I’m sure, I’ve always had a lot of questions for my parents involving the word “why” and hypothetical situations which they have never been able to answer, so I’m now on a journey outside athletics to find these ,answers myself, and my field of study matches this very well making me confident in my decision.

If you ever see me at a meet, or anywhere for that matter feel free to walk up and say 'hi!' I always love a good chat, particularly about the throwing events, and if you love the discus like me then I’d love to have a throw with you. I’m a pretty big guy, usually with coloured hair and basketball shorts, wearing either thongs or throwing shoes. You can’t miss me.

I love athletics so get used to seeing me around; I’ll be here for a while – ha ha…

Cheers,

Julian

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Athletics Australia – News