Talented middle distance runner Dustin Uebergang has his eye on success at the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships in December, after knocking half a second off his heat time to take silver in the under 15 boys 400m final at the NSW All Schools Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park last weekend.
The Armidale School Year 10 student from Inverell powered home to cross the line in 50:84, nearly a second faster than the 51:79 he clocked to win the event at the Athletics Association of Great Public Schools NSW (AAGPS) championships at the same venue, just a week before.
Dustin comfortably won his heat in a time of 51:33, securing a spot in the final as the second fastest qualifier.
“Since the top two in each heat automatically qualified, my goal was simply to place in the top two in my heat to guarantee my place in the finals. It came as a bit of a shock when I saw that I had made such a large improvement to my PB,” he said.
And the person he came second to in the 15yrs 400m final was training mate Evan Morrison, who ran 50.75, narrowly beating Dustin’s 50.84 – a personal best for both boys coached by Jay Stone in the Tamworth base ‘Track Titans;
Going into the finals, he worked on strategies from coach Jay Stone, to focus on his strengths.
“One of these was to try and come out of the second bend in a strong position. The fastest qualifier from the heats (Evan Morrison, Tamworth High School) who ended up winning the final, is a great 800m runner and also trained by Jay, so going into the race I knew that he would have lots of stamina and would finish strong.”
Athletics Championships in Sydney on 28 September. (Supplied) Top image: Dustin leads the field at the turn (Track Titans Facebook Page)
The tactics worked, with Dustin recording yet another personal best time.
“When I finished my finals race I was surprised at my and had no idea I still had room for improvement. But I gave it everything I had, and was really happy with that.”
In the lead up to Nationals, Dustin said he hopes to refine his technique further.
“I’ll be working with my coach to optimise my running technique and increase my strength and fitness. Hopefully I might be able to get another PB if I work hard and follow the training schedule that Jay gives me.”
The national championships will be held at the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre, Mt Gravatt, from 6-8 December.
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