ATHLETICS
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CANOBOLAS Rural Technology High School student, and High Performance Athletes Program (CHPA) member, Jack Connors continued his rapid rise through the ranks of para-athletics at last weekend’s 2015 Australian All Schools Athletics Championships, claiming a swag of medals.
Stepping up into the boys’ under-18 age division Connors, classified as a TF20 intellectual disability athlete, claimed two national titles at Albert Park’s Lakeside Stadium, along with three more silver medals.
Connors scored national titles in the long jump and discus events - the former of which he also won last year, in the under-16 division - and came second in both the 100m and 200m sprint events, along with shot put.
CHPA director Mark Skein said he’s not overly surprised to see Connors excel considering his dedication to training, and added how pleased he was to see the young gun do so well.
“We’re really pleased,” Skein said.
“Throughout the year Jack has been developing all the components of his fitness and more specifically his skills in his chosen discipline, and working on his weaknesses, not that he has many.
“He’s worked consistently hard this year, upwards of four times a week all year and I’m sure having the benefit of the High Performance program has helped, but he’s very dedicated and knows where he wants to go with this.”
Connors kicked off last weekend’s national carnival with a silver medal in his shot put event, where he threw 9.93m in the final.
On day two, Saturday, he claimed his first national title of the meet in the boys’ under-18 discus event, tossing 24.10m to claim gold..
He backed that up the same day with his second silver medal, finishing second in the 200m sprint, clocking 25.88s.
On Sunday’s final day of competition, Connors finished second in the 100m sprint as well, clocking a lightning time of 12.44s, before finishing the competition in the best way possible, leaping 5.26m to claim gold in his long jump event.
matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au