Brianne Thiesen-Eaton's former coach says, she was driven from a young age

A Saskatchewan athlete has made it to the podium in Rio.

Brianne Thiesen-Eaton from Humboldt took the bronze medal in the heptathlon on Saturday.

In Heptathlon athletes compete in seven different events ranging from 100 meter hurdles, to long jump.

Todd Johnston coached Thiesen-Eaton at the Saskatoon Track and Field club when she was in high school.

Johnston said he noticed early on that Thiesen-Eaton had the potential to succeed in heptathlon.

“She was like a sprinter, a jumper, when she came in … I seen with her height and her speed that she would have a lot of potential for the heptathlon.”

Johnston said Thiesen-Eaton was driven from a young age.

“She always wanted to improve, and she really disliked losing.”

Despite all the potential that Thiesen-Eaton showed for heptathlon, Johnston said she needed some convincing.

“She didn’t really want to do the heptathlon when she first started, but I explained to her where I thought her strengths were and how I thought she could make national team and go on from there.”

Johnston said Thiesen-Eaton found success soon after starting.

“She did make national team pretty quickly after the first year when we started the heptathlon, she made the world youth championship, then the next year she went to world junior championships.”

Johnston said he believes the success Thiesen-Eaton is having will be good for track and field.

“Between her and Taryn (Suttie) we’re pretty fortunate to have two past club members at the Olympic games, it can’t help but promote the sport and promote our club.”