The 16-year-old took home gold in the under-18 women's 2000m steeplechase at the track and field championships in Sydney in April.

"It felt pretty good, I didn't really expect it," Butler said.

"I didn't have the best lead-up to nationals: I was injured and lost a bit of focus during that.

"But at the start of the year, I had four months of solid training and went into the race with an open mind to see what would happen."

Butler said it wasn't until the final lap bell, and a friendly holler from coach and father Marcus Butler, that she realised victory was in her grasp.

"I was in third and I was going to be happy with that ... I knew I hadn't done the work to win," she said.

"But I heard dad on the back straight, and then I thought 'I've won before and I can't give up that easily'.

"So I just went at the 200[m] and came away with the win."

Butler also won silver at her nationals debut in 2019, and won her first national steeple gold in Western Australia that same year.

The Launceston College student suffered shin splints late in 2020 coming out of Tassie's COVID lockdown.

"It was pretty painful and it came from a pair of shoes I was training in," Butler said.

"So as soon as we switched shoes it came right."

While some might not like the idea of living under the same roof with their coach, Butler relished the situation.

"It's really good and a bit more relaxed than having someone else," she said.

"We train together and everything which makes it a lot better ... we can sleep in when we want."

Butler was part of the 11-strong Newstead squad representing the state at the nationals, with club mates Alexander Creak and Samuel Lindsay also succeeding.

She will have opportunities to shine at the all-schools and state cross-countries at the upcoming Symmons Plains and Hobart.

Do you know someone who is contributing to Northern Tasmanian sport, whether through participating or assisting?

The Examiner's Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by Woolworths, provide acknowledgement of accomplishments by players, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs across the region.

Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.

Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.