EAP Profile 2: Tryphena Hewett

We caught up with Athletics SA Emerging Athlete Program (EAP) member, Tryphena Hewett, to talk about her development and love for the sport. 

Tryphena Hewett: Age - 16, Club - Tea Tree Gully Athletics Centre

Disciplines - Pole Vault and High Jump

Watch Tryphena's EAP Profile Interview here

Tryphena Hewett just loves jumping... and she's good at it. 

Despite being just 16 years of age, the Tea Tree Gully Athletics Centre product's Personal Best jump of 1.78m (in February) ranks her in the top eight Open Women's and top three U18 Women's High Jumpers in Australia for 2021.

In the opening meet of the 2021-22 season - the Track and Field Launch on October 9 - Hewett cleared 1.75m, which she said was a perfect platform for what she hopes to be a big 12 months ahead. 

"I am on track this season - I am getting close to PBs already, which is nice because it is only early in the season," she said. 

"I performed well in the 2021 VIVA SA All Schools Championships (winning Gold in the U18 Women's High Jump, Pole Vault and Long Jump while representing The Heights School in Modbury Heights).

"This season I am aiming to better my PBs, medal at Nationals (2022 Australian Track and Field Championships) and qualify for World Juniors." 

Hewett also ranks in the top five for Australian U18 Women's Pole Vaulters this year, and during last weekend's Copyworld Toshiba Interclub 5 she cleared a PB 3.60m. 

This season is Hewett's first in the EAP squad, and she said that there had already been noticeable improvement in her performance. 

"We have done a couple of sessions, which has included a lot of testing, working on strength and conditioning, and looking into my future as an athlete," she said.

"I haven't been in the program long, but I have seen a big improvement in my performance as an athlete.

"The testing has helped me understand some of the issues in my performance and how to improve them."

She said the financial support that she had received from the program had also been of great assistance.

"The financial side of the EAP has also been of huge benefit, as I receive (free training) access to the SA Athletics Stadium which is helpful as I am out there training a couple times a week," she said. 

"We also receive funding to go and compete interstate, which will be great later for in the season when those opportunities present.

"I am really looking forward to the Nationals and also competing in some Track Classics where I can."

Hewett started her athletics journey as a Tiny Tot (for three to five year old children) in the SA Little Athletics program. 

"I got in very early and have enjoyed it my whole life," she said. 

"In seniors I have started to develop myself further and am now looking to target some bigger competitions and results.

"I love the atmosphere of athletics - I love competing each week, pushing myself to get better and getting PBs."

She said that it was a passion that drove her towards the jumping events. 

She also regularly participates in Long Jump, Triple Jump, Javelin, Shot Put, Discus, and various sprint disciplines at Athletics SA competitions. 

"I started to see some potential in jumping about five years ago and started to specify my events down to High Jump and in recent years I have got into Pole Vault," Hewett said. 

"I really like the challenge of Pole Vault, it requires a broad set of skills, there was a great variety in training and work ethic - I found it really enjoyable.

"I just love everything about High Jump, and jumping in general - landing on the bag is pretty great."

Last month we caught up with ASA EAP Member Isaac Heyne to kick off the EAP Profile series: Read Isaac's story here