Adam Williams may have raced over 1500 metres just a couple of times leading into the NSW PSSA Athletics Championship last week but it didn’t stop the Tamworth Public School student from racing onto the podium.
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Aided by his fast finishes, the 12-year-old powered his way to a bronze medal in the 1500 metres and a silver medal in the more familiar 800-metre race.
Both runs were equally impressive with Adam finding a new pet event in the 1500-metre race.
“I’ve only run at 1500 twice before so I’ve got a lot of learning to do. A lot of racing tactics and stuff like that,” Adam said.
Adam ran both races how he likes to.
The runner stayed in touch with the leaders before making his move late in the races.
“It was amazing. I had to really push in the last 100. I’m happy with my results,” Adam said.
“In the 1500, with 100 to go, I was fourth and third place was five metres in front. That was a good sprint at the end.
“In the 800 I was fifth with 100 to go and out-sprinted three people.”
The road to the Pacific School Games in Adelaide in early December now starts for Adam.
He’ll be getting some help from a new coach – one from Sydney who is a level four-accredited specialist coach – after training predominantly with his father up to now.
“My dad was coaching me and he was just looking stuff up on google. He was searching how to train 800-metre runners,” Adam said.
“This lady knows what she’s talking about.
“She trains national champions. The program she set up for me is really intense and hard but that gives me confidence in myself for when I go down and compete.”
Adam will be joined at the Pacific Games – held from December 1 to December 6 – by fellow North West athlete Chiyo Brown from Armidale City Public School who qualified in the 11 years girls 1500 metres race.
Medals
Gold - Chiyo Brown (Armidale City PS) 11 yr Girls 1500m (5.12.63)
Gold - Gum Flat PS (Jarrad White, Charley Thorpe, Michaela McLay, William Lindsay) - Nigel Bagley Relay
Silver - Adam Williams (Tamworth Public School) 12/13 yr Boys 800 m (2.19.03)
Bronze - Adam WIlliams (Tamworth Public School) 12 yr Boys 1500 m (4.47.88)
*Chiyo and Adam were both selected in the NSWPSSA Track and Field Team to compete in the Pacific Schools Games to be held in Adelaide in early December.
Top 10 finishes
4th - Ellie Mitchell (Guyra) 12/13 yr Girls High Jump (1.5m)
5th - Oliver Garrett (Armidale City) 12/13 yr Boys Long Jump (4.96m)
5th - William Lindsay (Gum Flat) 13 yr Boys 100m (13.26)
6th - Frazer Penberthy (Narrabri PS) 8 yr Boys 100m (14.93 )
6th - Michaela McLay (Gum Flat) 13 yr Girls 100m (14.56)
6th - Mia Allen (Tamworth South PS) 9 yr Girls 100m (14.68m)
7th - Kaiden Lahrs (Oxley Vale) 11 yr Boys Long Jump (4.45m)
8th - Annie Hook (Somerton) Jnr Girls High Jump (1.25m)
8th - Jesse James (Moree PS) Multiclass 12/13 yr Boys 800m (3.16.14)
9th - Atem Atuich (Oxley Vale) 11 yr Boys High Jump (1.45m)
9th William Lindsay (Gum Flat) 12/13 yr Boys Long Jump (4.87m)
10th Faith Green (Spring Ridge) Jnr Girls Shot Put (8.25m)
