DARBY Lancaster is the fastest sprinter in NSW for the under-10 age group.
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The Belmore River lad won gold in the ‘blue ribbon’ event, the 100m sprint at the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships earlier this month.
Students from all across the state, including public and private schools competed at the championships.
The year 4 Kempsey East Public School student was first to cross the line in a time of 13.66 seconds, in what was a tightly contested final.
Not much separated the top three placegetters, second place clocked a time of 13.68 and third 13.69. The sprint final was raced in very hot conditions.
In his heat Lancaster recorded a personal best time of 13.17, in perfect weather conditions.
The gold medal win was a bit of a shock for Lancaster, who had placed fifth at State the previous two years.
“It was pretty exciting,” he said.
“I didn’t know that I had won straight away because it was a close finish.
“I was a little surprised that I won because I have not been training, but I am in training now for the nationals.”
The National Athletics Championships will be held at the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre in Brisbane over four days from November 22 to 26.
It is the first year Lancaster is able to compete at the national event as the youngest age group is the under 10s.
Adding to this incredible achievement is the fact that Lancaster is the fastest qualifier for the event.
Lancaster, who is a member of Kempsey Little Athletics, is looking forward to the challenge ahead of him.
“My goal for nationals is mainly to get a medal,” he said.
“I will also be in the NSW relay team and will compete against the other states. I am looking forward to that.”
Parents James and Marika are very proud of their son’s gold medal feat.
“For a kid from Belmore River to win a State medal is a real achievement,” proud dad James said.
“A lot of the kids Darby competed against are from the city, have a coach and train a couple of times a week.”
James believes Darby’s sprinting talent comes from Marika and certainly not him.
“Darby is doing sprint training twice a week at Gladstone Oval,” he said.
“To him it is just another race. He is composed about it and not too nervous.”
Darby enjoys a variety of sport including playing rugby league for the Kempsey Dragons and as a member of the Kempsey-Macleay RSL Table Tennis Club.