MELISSA BREEN

Recent Performances

• 2nd (100m) - 2012 World Challenge (Kawasaki, Japan)
• 1st (100m) - 2012 Australian Olympic Trials (Melbourne, Australia)
• 2nd (100m) - 2012 Melbourne Track Classic (Melbourne, Australia)
• 1st (100m) - 2012 Sydney Track Classic (Sydney, Australia)
• 2nd (100m) - 2012 Perth Track Classic (Perth, Australia)
• 2nd (100m) - 2012 Brisbane Track Classic (Brisbane, Australia)

Career Highlights

• Running a 100m personal best of 11.33s in late 2008 to become the second fastest junior in Australian history
• Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in 2010
• Competing at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and making the semi-final as a 20-year-old

Interesting Facts

• Melissa Breen narrowly missed the 100m Olympic A qualifying mark by an agonising 0.01s when she ran 11.30s in Japan in March. Breen was relieved to be rewarded for her consistent efforts with Olympic nomination based on selector's discretion. It was her second close-call after running 11.31s in the semi-final at the Australian Open Championship in April.
• Breen now ranks in the top ten all-time list with the likes of Sally Pearson, Raelene Boyle, Cathy Freeman and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.
• Breen was selected to compete in the 4 x 100m relay at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu where the Australians finished fourth in their heat. Breen placed fifth in the 100m semi-final at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
• Breen's long term goal now is to make the 2016 Rio Olympic Games 100m final and break the 11 seconds barrier in the 100m.
• Breen is coached by Matt Beckenham and trains alongside Lauren Boden and Brendan Cole who are competing in the 400m hurdles.

Years on national team

5

Coach

Matt Beckenham (2006 - current)
Rob Wozniak (2003 - 2006)

Primary Training Base

Canberra, Australia

Secondary Training Base

Cologne, Germany

Club

Woden Harriers (ACT, Australia)

Institute/Academy

ACT Academy of Sport, Canberra

Primary

St Anthony's Parish School (ACT, Australia)

Secondary

St Mary MacKillop College (ACT, Australia)

Tertiary

Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness - Australian Vocational Training Academy (2009 - 2010)