MACINTYRE High School student River Melia returned from the NSW State Little Athletics Championships with a gold medal for one of his event specialties, the 200 metre hurdles.
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The 13-year-old returned to the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre where he recently enjoyed podium finishes with silvers in the 100m and 200m under 14 hurdle events at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.
Family friend Bob Burling said after Melia’s recent achievement, he felt pressure to succeed in his four nominated events at the state Little Athletics.
Before the event, Melia said he had taken on the sprint event because he had access to sprint coaches at the school. He continues to train for hurdles on his own.
Burling said after a shaky start in the heats, Melia managed to qualify for the finals in the U14 boys 200m hurdles. Burling said the Delungra boy led from the start. Melia crossed the line in 26.37seconds with Port Hacking hurdler William Humberstone just behind with 26.59.
Melia took fourth in the U14 long jump with a 5.50m result, but was unplaced in the U14s 90m hurdles and 200m sprint.
Burling said the weather was not ideal, leaving the track wet with weekend rain.
Melia’s sister Breeze qualified to compete in the under 12 girls 60m hurdles and 100m sprint with heat finishes in the top 20, but failed take home a medal for either event.