Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
The 2022 Commonwealth Games might have wrapped up, but for 20-year-old Kye Mason, his athletic journey has just taken off.
Kye has secured a scholarship in the US that will enable him to develop and strengthen his prowess in the 400m event and steer him towards reaching his goal of competing in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The scholarship is another rung on the ladder to the top for Kye, whose disciplines include the men’s 100m, 200m and 400m events. Kye has been travelling from his home in Cohuna twice a week to train with the Eaglehawk Athletic Club and competing on weekends.
This year, he represented Victoria at the 2022 Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney and competed in the Oceania Championships in Mackay.
The scholarship at the University of Central Missouri begins on August 15 and covers tuition, room and board, and Kye will study a four-year Bachelor of Science, majoring in kinesiology. Upon completion of his study, Kye plans to return to Australia and work in a coaching role for Athletics Victoria or Athletics Queensland – his dream job.
His commitment will involve around 20 hours of training a week and conference meets most weekends, anywhere within a 5-hour radius from the university, as well as larger meets around the country. The extreme climate means both outdoor and indoor seasons. Indoor tracks don’t exist in Australia, so running on a 200m indoor track will be an adjustment for Kye.
“The University of Central Missouri is one of the top schools and there are a few people over there who said the coaching was great and it was a great opportunity to take up – and I chased it,” said Kye.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, exploring a new country that I’ve never been to, different types of training and facilities.
“I’m very excited, but also very nervous, because it’s a completely different area and experience and it will take a lot of getting used to.
“My goal is to get the right coaching and training and lower my times, and hopefully, represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games – that would be a dream come true.”
With the Commonwealth Games to be held in regional Victoria in 2026, Kye’s goal is within reach and will be even more satisfying with the opportunity for proud family and friends to have a front row seat.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 11 August 2022.
