TWELVE months after a hamstring injury crippled his athletics season, Blake Pryse is back on the winner’s list.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bendigo Harriers teenager was last weekend crowned Victorian under-20 decathlon champion.
Pryse won seven of his 10 events in the multi-discipline competition at Lakeside Stadium, held as part of the state open track and field titles.
His score of 7079 points put him more than 1000 clear of his nearest rival and he will look to build on that total when he competes in the Australian championships in Brisbane later this month.
Pryse hurt his hamstring just days before last year’s state event, forcing him to withdraw and later hindering his performance at nationals.
But coach Brett Gilligan said he was back running and jumping strongly, with room for improvement in throws.
Carisbrook athlete Lewis Cain was third behind Pryse and also qualified for nationals, as did Eaglehawk club member Carlie Whitford, who won gold in the under-20 pentathlon.
Denise Snyder claimed bronze in the women’s high jump, while Liam Richardson was third in the men’s ambulant shot put.
Other local results included:
Chris Browne, 5th in discus; Zachariah Nelson 5th in long jump; Jemuel Pryse, 5th in pole vault; Andrew Buchanan 7th in 1500m final; Bethany Oliver 6th in javelin; Natasha Fitzpatrick 6th in 3000m steeplechase (national qualifying time); Montana Macfarlane 9th in 3000m steeplechase (national qualifying time); Rebekah Lock 11th in 3000m steeplechase; Nigel Self 8th in 100m semi-final; Joshua Pickthall 8th in 100m semi final, 7th in 200m semi final; Cody Williamson 20th in 1500m; Kye Jenkyn 27th in 1500m.