SAM Ellicott showed a clean set of heels to everyone at last weekend’s NSW Country Championships in Newcastle, claiming gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m to complete a first- ever treble for the runner and his passionate coach Wally Warner.
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Running in the U14s on Saturday, the lanky athlete opened his account with a 400m run that left the field well behind before a blistering 100m dash handed him the double and the chance to claim the three-sprint crown the following day.
Unfortunately, no times were recorded because of a malfunction with the timing equipment.
The Sunday saw the Tamworth flash take on the 200m and again dominate the competition.
“It is my first treble in five years of running with Wally (Warner),” Ellicott said.
“It’s pretty good.”
Warner believes he has found the key to Ellicott’s success.
“I put a bit of mongrel in him,” Warner said.
After taking second in the all schools Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) championships last year, Ellicott has burst into the new year and hopes to carry that new confidence and “mongrel” into the upcoming NSW Championships at Homebush.
Ellicott wasn’t alone in bringing some medals back to Tamworth and the Warner stable.
The Heeney sisters were in the mix again, with 15-year-old Ella busting the minute mark in the 400m for the first time to take the gold, before backing up to take the bronze in the opens 800m as the youngest in the race.
“She is a dynamo,” Warner said.
Older sister Sophie took on the longer 3km race and crossed the line in front.
“She kept up the same pace the whole way,” Warner said.
“It was an amazing run.”
The siblings have a busy time ahead of them, with the State Championships starting February 7, before crossing over to the All Schools triathlon at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith on February 20, followed by the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in March.
Emily Sheppard was another to come home with some metal, taking silver in the U17 200m and coming fourth in the 400m.
“She is a natural talent who could go a long way if she perseveres,” Warner said.
Alexander Reid was the final Warner- trained athlete at the carnival, qualifying for the 200m final, but just missing a podium finish.
“I have got plenty of little ones too who would knock the socks off some of these competitions,” Warner said.
“Teaching a kid to run the right way makes them a better athlete in every sport.”
Warner has had athletes take home 14 national medals in the past four years and trains the athletes for no cost.