Hay’s own Nate wows at State

Dec 23

Nate Clarke has qualified for Australian track and Field Championships next year in two events, after a stunning performance at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships last week.

“Not having competed since June, I was feeling very nervous going into the first race – the 800 metre heats,” Clarke said.

The mercurial Hay War Memorial High School student had no need to worry, romping home easily to take first place to qualify in the 800 metre final.

In an extremely competitive line up, Clarke held his own to be up amongst the top four in the first lap. As the top three runners started to draw away, he dug deep in the last 100 metres, to power home. Clarke passed the third-place runner, surprising even the commentators, to take bronze in the 13 years boys 800 metres with a brilliant time of 2.06.57.

Nerves forgotten, Clarke lined up the following day for the 400 metre event.

“The 400m is Nate’s favourite event behind the 800 metre and is what he considers his “fun” race,” proud father Darren Clarke said.

“With no expectations, never having made it into a 400 metre state final before (he placed tenth in last year’s All Schools heats), Nate was able to relax and simply run. Shocking himself, and others, he did a 2.5 second personal best time of 56.14 in the heats to come second, automatically qualifying for the finals on Sunday afternoon.”

In the final Clarke got off to a great start, holding his own against the state’s best sprinters. The third 100 metres proved tough for the gutsy teenager, with many of the inside lanes making a surge, but Nate’s distance training proved invaluable. He was able to bring home a strong finish down the final 100 metre to take fifth place, shaving another 0.75 seconds off the previous days’ time, with a run of 55.35.

Clarke’s showing at the NSW event is amazing feat for his first state level 400 metre final, moving up five positions from last year. It appears that Nate’s focus on improving his sprinting in training this year has paid off.

Coming third in the 800 metre has automatically qualified Nate for the Australian Track and Field Championships Nationals next year. His time in the 400 metre has also met the Australian qualifying standard for the 400 metre sprint event.

The Championships are scheduled to be held in Perth next year, pending border restrictions.