Hugo Garcia has speed to burn – whether it’s the shorter distances or the longer.
After making the School Sports Victoria (SSV) state track and field championships in the 4×100 metres relay last year, the Gladstone Park School of the Good Shepherd student will compete in SSV’s state cross-country championships next month.
Teacher David Kehagias says it’s the first time in his five years at the school that a student has made the state schools’ cross-country titles.
And it was even rarer for someone to be so fast over both short and longer distances.
“Hugo started with a time of nine-and-a-half minutes for the two-and-a-half kilometres and is now down to seven-and-a-half,” Kehagias says.
“He has managed to shave two minutes off his time, which is hard to do for someone at an elite level at that age.
“It’s very rare to have a sprinter who can then run 7.30 for two-and-half-kilometres.”
Hugo is now aiming to make the Victorian state schools’ cross-country team to contest the national final.
This year, on his way to the state finals, the 10-year-old won the 10-and-under district race, finished third in his school division and 11th in the region.
“It’d be excellent to make the team,” Hugo told Star Weekly.
“I’ve been training hard, three times a week, running and stretching with the sports teacher. I like cross-country [better than sprinting]. It’s my favourite besides football.”
Kehagias doesn’t think a top seven finish is beyond Hugo; that would put him in the state team for the nationals. He adds that even the experience of running in the 4x100m relay in the state titles, where Hugo’s team won bronze, will benefit him.
“On race day anything can happen. You never know how he will go, but on times he should finish in the top 20,” Kehagias says.“He knows what’s going on and the course is the same one that was used at district and regional levels.”
