SAM Jenner’s big year just keeps rolling as the Armidale- based Australian road cyclist took two top gongs at this year’s NIAS Presentation night.
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Jenner returned to the Academy – where he had years earlier cut his teeth – last year as part of the Lonestar program and, since returning, has gained representation in the Australian Under 19 Cycling team and claimed two fourth places at world titles.
These huge feats lifted the cyclist to take out the inaugural Scott Campbell Lonestar Athlete of The Year as well as taking out the coveted Chairman’s Award.
Following a big summer on the bike and in the gym, Jenner went to Tasmania in April for the Mersey Valley Tour with more strength and stamina, according to NIAS chief James Cooper.
The tour doubled as a selection trial for the Australian U19 cycling team for the junior world championships in the USA and, after impressing on the road and taking three top six places at the national championships, Jenner was offered one of five spots in the Australian team, and a trip to Richmond, Virginia where he would take two fourth places to cement his position in the national team.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than representing your country at an international event,” Cooper said.
“Picking up the Chairman’s Award was just icing on the cake after representing Australia.
“Sam has achieved so much this year and it is extremely well deserved.”
Jenner was one of three debutantes in the national team, after taking three top six places at the National Championships and impressing on the Mersey Valley Tour.
If the two NIAS awards are icing, then his recent nomination for a Cycling Australia Award is the cherry on top.
He was delighted to have just been nominated, the 18-year-old said.
“I wasn’t able to go down there for the awards night,” he said of the Melbourne celebration.
Now left school, he’s waiting on his HSC results but training hard to make his way into the Under 23 ranks.
The USA trip for the world juniors was exciting too, he said, despite no success.
“It was a great atmosphere over there,” he said.
“The road race was 130k, eight laps of a 16k course with two cobbled climbs.
“A pretty tough course.”
He copped a bad break in the race so the finish result was a little disappointing, he said.
On returning to Australia that disappointment was washed away by his NIAS awards, winning the Chairman’s Award, a great honour, and then also winning the Scott Campbell Lonestar of the Year, a pleasure and humbling achievement all at once.
“I knew (the late) Scotty Campbell pretty well,” he said.
“It’s ended the year on a good note.”Applications closing soon
Male athletes are reminded that applications are still open for AFL, tennis, golf and football (soccer) . Applications are open for boys aged 16 and under in 2016 for the NIAS Steggles AFL Program.
If you’re a tennis athlete (male or female) aged under 16 looking to take your skills and education on and off the tennis court to the next level, NIAS Inland Technology Tennis Program is the answer for you. Applications are closing soon.
Applications are still open for the NIAS Tamworth Golf Club golf program. Athletes (male and female) aged 12-18 in 2016 can apply.
Female athletes are reminded applications are still open for the NIAS Armidale City Bowling Club football (soccer) program.
For full details go to the NIAS webpagewww.nias.org.au
