While his schoolmates were enjoying the sun at the Northern High Schools Sports Association carnival in St Leonards, Riverside’s Sam Clifford was singing in the rain of Cairns.
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The multiple national track champion claimed a dominant victory in the under-18 3000-metres and also claimed a bronze medal in the 1500m (3:54.65) at the Australian all schools track and field championships.
Claimed on a rain-soaked Queensland track, the medals represented the completion of Clifford’s lengthy comeback from a broken leg.
His winning time of 8:35.26 in the 3000m race was more than three seconds ahead of NSW runner-up Oli Raimond.
Tasmanian success continued when Alexander McKillop and Sam Walker won gold and silver respectively in their 100m races to make it a double with their 200m medals.
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games representative Walker also won his long jump with McKillop (200m) and Will Robertson (3000m walk) fellow gold medallists.
Raphaela Corney won silver in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.50m, just 10cm behind Victorian winner Olivia Gross.
Julia Direen took bronze in the under-18 hammer with a throw of 49.55m as home-state winner Rochelle Vidler produced a stunning 61.77m effort.
On its Facebook page, Athletics Tasmania reported a glut of personal bests and outstanding performances at the event.
The championships took place at the Barlow Park Athletics Centre from Friday to Sunday.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
