An outstanding junior athlete who is excelling around Tasmania, it's an ingrained level of sportsmanship and maturity that sets Riley Howard apart from the rest.
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Acknowledging he is still to grow both mentally and physically, the 12-year-old has achieved quality results during his 2019 season, earning him a nomination for The Examiner's Junior Sport Awards' Male Rising Star award.
Coached by Wim Vaessen and Jamie Howard, Riley took home Youngtown Little Athletics Club's champion and boys track champion for the 2018/19 season, winning gold medals in six of South Launceston's seven track events at February's centre titles.
The 1500m title eluded the rising star before the state championships in March saw him claim three silvers.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Not fully content with only achieving track sprint success, Riley ran strongly for an eighth-placed finish at the Launceston State School Sports Association cross-country state championships which saw him gain a place as Tasmania's reserve athlete despite not following a regimented distance training program.
Running cross-country with Newstead Athletics, the Norwood Primary student picked up third place in both team and individual competition in the annual school series, running with his mates to keep his fitness intact for the little athletics season.
Sealing his spot in the Schools Sports Australia state side for the third year in a row following strong results at May's regional track-and-field challenge, Riley's leadership qualities were recognised as he was bestowed with the honor of captaining Tasmania.
TIME TO DECIDE:
Winning gold in both the regional 100 and 200m events as well as the combined tetrathlon, the captain recently competed in Darwin at the SSA national championships.
A ninth-placed finish in the multi-event tetrathlon which combines 100m, 800m, long jump and shot put brought upon Riley's strongest result.
Training three or four times a week during peak season, Riley never loses sight of what he wants to achieve as he continually strives to eclipse his growing personal bests.
How to nominate
To nominate for the Junior Sports Awards, fill out the submission form below with as much detail as possible and please attach a photo.
Whether they are an accomplished junior athlete, rising star, a dominant team or even a coach, anyone can be nominated.
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Know a junior sport star? Make a nomination for our 2019 Junior Sports Awards here.
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
