Athletics
2 December, 2024
Sawyer smashes personal bests
Jack Sawyer of Horsham West Primary School smashed personal bests and finished third in the 4x100m relay in the 11-year-old age group at the Australian Primary Schools Athletics championships, held in Sydney from Thursday, November 28 to Saturday, November 30.
On the opening day, he participated in the combined event and placed second in his heat, running 13.29s in the 100m, which was a personal best. He finished third overall.
In the long jump, Sawyer jumped 4.27m, placing 9th overall. He was sitting fourth by three points at the end of day one of the combined events.
On day two, he threw a personal best with his new technique in the shot put, 9.16m, and scored a personal best of 2.25 in the 800m, smashing that by 21 seconds. He finished 7th overall in the combined event.
In his individual events, Sawyer qualified for the 200m final with 26.96s in his heat and bettered that in the final, finishing eighth in a time of 26.57, which was another personal best.
Sawyer's big moment, however, came in the relay, with his team winning bronze, playing a vital role as the third runner.
Coach Ricky Price said it was an exceptional effort.
"To come away with four personal bests and a bronze medal overall, in his heavy schedule over three days, was a fantastic effort," Price said.
"In the 200m, he has made three personal bests over the last four weeks, and his goal was to make the 200m final on the final day, which he achieved.
"He has started gaining confidence in using the starting blocks in competition events."
Jack said it was a good feeling and was pleased that his hard work had paid off.
"It feels pretty good, and it was a lot of hard work," Jack said.
"I was nervous about my 200m because it's at a very high level, and I am a bit tired and sore.
"I am also really proud of my team and myself in the relay. I couldn't have done any better, and all the running on the track was pretty nice."
Jack's father, Ben, said he and his wife, Erin, are very proud of him.
"He did a good job and worked hard; we couldn't be prouder. As parents, it's great to see your kids doing well in the things they love," Ben said.
"He is a very competitive kid and went out there and gave it his best, as he does in everything.
"His 800m run was sensational, and he had a real crack. He worked hard, and there were kids there who had heavier schedules than what he had, and they all did a great job as well."
