Cassidhe Simmons is set to represent Australia in heptathlon at this year's world junior titles. Source: Mark Cranitch / News Limited
COACH Sharon Hannan's anguish over her split from Sally Pearson has been replaced by excitement over a new world-class protege.
Heptathlete Cassidhe Simmons is set to represent Australia at this year's world junior titles and is being groomed to make an impact at the 2016 Olympic Games.
"That (Olympics) should be her target,'' coach Hannan said of her star pupil who has achieved an A qualifying standard and can rubber stamp world titles selection with a win at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney in March.
Simmons has a long way to go after only starting strength training in the gym last year, but there is growing optimism the pint-sized athlete could break a drought for Australian women in the multi-event.
Olympic gold medallist Glynis Nunn-Cearns was our last heptathlon medallist at a major championships when she won in Los Angeles 20 years ago.
Jane Flemming won Commonwealth gold in 1990 and Kylie Wheeler claimed silver at Manchester in 2002 but neither managed medals at either the Olympics or a world championships.
Simmons is a late bloomer who competed in junior athletics and touch football before taking track and field seriously.
"I was never excellent at one single event but found I could do them all reasonably well,'' the 18-year-old said.
The Griffith University Gold Coast business and sports management student is a true allrounder.
"One at a time'' is how she tackles the seven disciplines - 800m, shot put, javelin, long jump, 100m hurdles, high jump and 200m.
Simmons posted personal bests in five disciplines at the multi-event state championships earlier this month when she needed a gutsy surge in the final event, the 800m, to achieve the A qualifying standard. She made it with two seconds to spare.
It was a valuable learning experience for the teenager who was almost overwhelmed by nerves.
Simmons is in good hands at the Gold Coast Victory club where she is mentored by Matt Stopel (shot), Brett Green (javelin) and husband and wife duo Sharon (track) and Peter Hannan (jumps and strength).
"Now that she's spent a year in the gym she's coming along nicely,'' Sharon Hannan said.
"She's really committed but we've had to put the reins on her.
"She needs to realise you can't train like you need to for individual events. It takes a toll on the body.''
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