Double gold for Laura Dickinson at national youth championship

Laura Dickinson, a 17-year-old from Miramichi who won two gold medals at the national youth track and field championships last weekend, says she was inspired to compete in steeplechase after watching New Brunswick Olympian Geneviève Lalonde.

"I knew there was someone else from New Brunswick that was doing really good at it, so I wanted to try it as well," said Dickinson.

Lalonde will be competing in the event in Rio Saturday.

Dickinson competed in the 2000 metre and 3000 metre steeplechase in Quebec as part of New Brunswick's youth team.

Was underdog

She entered the races as the underdog, ranked sixth in one of the events.

But during the last few laps of the races, she was able to take the lead, making the wins all the more exhilarating. 

"It felt amazing, just knowing I worked so hard throughout the season, training up to this season and all my hard work has paid off," said Dickinson.

The 17-year-old started training two years ago, although she has been running cross-country since elementary school.

She says she hopes to compete in steeplechase at the university level, after she graduates from high school.

In the meantime, she'll be watching Lalonde closely in Rio.

"I'll be cheering her on from home," said Dickinson.