Riverside student Sam Clifford claimed gold in the under-16s 3000m on Sunday at the Australian All-Schools Championships in what TIS coach Susan Andrews called a “perfectly tactical race”.
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Clifford sat back off the leading pack during initial laps before working his way to the front mid-race.
He hit the lead and was never headed in the final two laps of the seven-and-a-half lap event at Canberra.
The 15-year-old finished the 3000m in 8:55.19, nearly five seconds ahead of New South Wales runner Elliott McGaughran in 9:00.17.
Andrews said the type of run “suited his strengths”.
“It was a very well paced, confident run,” she said.
“I think he was one of the favourites for the race and he really proved he could lift at the right time for a major championships.
“So it was a great race.”
Clifford was unplaced over 1500m on Saturday. He won a silver medal in Canberra at the national cross-country championship in August.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
