Born in Nijmegen, she made her international debut in cross country running, competing in the junior section of the 2002 European Cross Country Championships and finishing in 34th. She returned at the 2003 edition but managed only 69th on that attempt. Her first international medals came at the 2003 European Youth Olympic Festival, where she was the gold medallist over 3000 metres and bronze medallist at 1500 metres. Her first global events came the year after: she ranked 71st in the junior race at the 2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, but did not finish in the 3000 m at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics. She performed better at continental level, coming 39th at the 2004 European Cross Country Championships.