Illawarra Grammar School middle-distance runner James Healey has led a successful NSW All School Athletics Championships for Wollongong athletes.
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Healey was one of 17 athletes from the region to medal at the competition, taking out the 15 boys 800 metre and 1500m finals.
The Kembla Joggers squad member said the results were the culmination of a grueling winter of training.
“It was good to see all of my hard training pay off and have a good race,” Healey said. “I beat the national champion in the 800, which felt like a big accomplishment for me. I’ve been chasing to win state for a while and it happened.
“It was a bit of a surprise, I knew I had done all the hard work and all the kilometres and that I’d be able to do it. But to put it in place and for the race to go perfect, that was a surprise.”
Healey is in his second year training with Paul Micale at Kembla Joggers and he credits the experienced coach for helping him develop into a top runner.
The double victory on the track came after he also claimed gold at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships, with December’s Australian All Schools in Cairns the next meet in his sights.
“Paul’s taught me how to race, before I used to just run, go out as hard as I can and try to hold on. He taught me how to come up with a race plan and execute it.”
In other impressive results for Wollongong athletes, Chelsea Ezeoke set a new state record in taking out the 14 years 400m final and Tierney Dunne won gold in the 16 years 100m sprint.
Corpus Christi sisters Grace Adams and Ashlyn Adams also medalled, with Ashlyn winning bronze in the 14 years 90m hurdles and Grace silver in the 16 years 100m hurdles and bronze in the 400m hurdles.
Warilla High School had a particularly impressive meet, with Isaac Shaw winning the 14 years 2000m steeplechase, Ryan Keen taking silver in the 13 years discus and Tyson Lewis finishing third in the 19 years 200m. Rosemary Boyland won the 16-19 years para discus and shot put events.