Dayna Crees

BIOGRAPHY

Dayna Crees started her journey in athletics at the suggestion of her physiotherapist.
“They recommended I try and get into running. I was 12 and I initially started my journey as a runner and jumper (100m, 200m and long jump) and then progressed into standing throwing, shot put and discus,” said Dayna who had Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia since birth.

Her balance weakened and she transitioned into seated throwing.
“It has been a long journey from the start to now and we have faced many challenges along the way, having to learn how to use different muscles in my body when my lower half was restricted.”
The COVID years were difficult for everybody. For athletes it limited training and competitions. “Also not being able to see our progress from gym work and throwing was pretty difficult too.”
Seated throwing also took time for Dayna to adapt too.
“Being in the throwing frame took some time to manage but making the team for World Championships shows just how far we have come.”
 
Although Dayna still holds Australian youth long jump records, it is the throws she is excelling at. In the F34 classification, she holds every Australian under-15 to open record in shot put, discus and javelin. 

At the 2023 Victorian open championships, Dayna set a significant mark in the javelin with a throw of 16.25m. Not only did it raise her own Australian record it would earn her selection in the Australian team for the world championships in Paris.
“I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity, my team and I have worked so hard to get where we are today. My dream of representing my country has been achieved and I’m proud of myself and my support network,” said Dayna, who always recognises and thanks the team around her on this journey. In Paris, Dayna will also compete in the seated shot put.

At the 2023 Para-Athletics Championships, Dayna was terrific on her debut in the green and gold. She placed sixth in the F34 shot put with a PB distance 6.26m. But the highlights was a battle for the podium in the F34 javelin throw. On her second attempt she nailed a PB and Australian record distance of 16.82m, to sit in third place after three rounds. In round four there were fireworks with Finland’s Marjaana Heikkinen passing Dayna with a distance of 16.90m. Dayna responded with another PB and National record of 16.84m, but would eventually have to settle for fourth – just 6cm from the podium and within a metre of the silver medal.

Selected for her Paralympic Games debut, Dayna will again line up in the F34 Shot Put and Javelin events in Paris.  

Hero: Brooke Stratton (Buschkuehl), she has always been so supportive in my athletics career and offered me words of advice when I was a long jumper…Most influential person in your career: My coach, Gordo (Gordon Talbot), for never giving up on me, building my throwing frames and coming to training in the cold…Advice to your young self: Don’t let your disability get in the way of achieving your goals and dreams. You can do anything!...Sporting ambition: Making the Paralympics…Education: currently studying Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care - Chisholm TAFE…Other sports: Swimming…Disability: Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia since birth… Biggest challenge you've faced:  Dealing with my disability in general.. What do you like best about competing: I like seeing my friends and being there to support them and I also like getting to travel to different places. 

 @23 Aug 2024 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au