Claudia Hollingsworth: Breaks Australian 800m U20 record

Mentonian Claudia Hollingsworth (Class of 2023) and her coach Craig Mottram (Class of 1998) – A dynamic duo from Mentone Grammar! 

Claudia Hollingsworth is already a standout in Australian athletics at just 18 years old, with a remarkable 800m victory at the Maurie Plant Meet on Thursday 15 February 2024. Her coach, Craig Mottram, also an outstanding coach at Mentone Grammar, discovered her talent at our school and has been nurturing her talents for the past six years.

With an impressive personal best of 1:59.81, Claudia has left top athletes in her wake, including world championships semi-finalist Abbey Caldwell and Olympic 1500m finalist Linden Hall.

“It’s crazy, I’m so happy to achieve my first PB since I was 16, so it has been a while since I could crack that 2:01. To go under two minutes is just crazy – I am super happy so early in the season,” Claudia said.

Now, the big question is, which distance is she best suited for? Craig believes she has the potential to excel in both the 800m and 1500m events. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, Claudia’s journey is just beginning. “The Olympics are obviously on my mind but I’m definitely only taking it race by race,” she said.
At such a young age, Craig is focused on her long-term development, aiming to nurture her talent and help her reach her full potential. While the Olympics are a dream, the priority is her growth as an athlete.

Claudia’s achievements are already impressive, with two under-20 national records, becoming the Oceania champion last year over 1500m, turning down tempting approaches from AFLW feeder clubs, and completing Year 12 at Mentone Grammar last year.

Claudia’s journey from a talented footballer to a potential Olympian is truly inspiring. Her dedication and trust in her coach’s guidance are paving the way for an exciting future in athletics.

We congratulate Claudia on everything she has achieved and wish her the best of luck for future events!