Nelson’s golden athletics moment

By Marc McGowan
But Nelson, 16, has every reason to carry an extra spring in his step after claiming the gold medal in the men’s 2km steeplechase at last week’s Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney.
“The feeling when I crossed the line was pretty good because I knew I had won. I was pretty rapt with that,” he said.
“Second and third were close behind me with a lap to go, but in the last lap I gave it everything and started to get a bit of a gap on them.”
Nelson earned his place in the competition with a second place in the 16-year-old boys’ 2km steeplechase at last month’s Pacific School Games (PSG).
His winning time of 6:11.18 at the AYOF was slightly slower than what he ran at the PSG, but gave him almost a four-second buffer over second-ranked competitor Grant Gwynne.
And a large contingent of the St Francis Xavier College student’s family travelled to New South Wales to enjoy the moment with him.
Nelson’s conqueror at the PSG and training partner Jordan Williamsz bypassed the event and instead claimed victory in the 800m and 1500m.
“I knew he was going to do those events … and it worked out perfect for him,” Nelson said.
“It was a lot different not running with a team-mate.”
Nelson admits he was a satisfied man the day after his impressive display.
“I was pretty pumped the next day and was pretty relaxed just cruising around watching the events – all the work had been done,” he said.
“There were lots of people there and some you didn’t really know before you were there, but by the end of the camp you start to know people a lot better.”
Nelson is still hoping to qualify for the World Youth Championships in Italy in July, but has to slash more than 14 seconds off his best 2km steeplechase time to achieve his goal.
He will attempt the feat at a low-key intra-club meet at Knox Athletics Club tonight (Thursday) before targeting next month’s Victorian Youth Championships.
“There are only two more qualifying events (for the World Youth Championships) in Victoria,” he said.
“The last chance to qualify is around the start of April and if I’m close to it I probably would travel interstate to give it a crack.”
The former Casey little athlete may also take on older opponents in the 3km steeplechase at the Victorian Open and Under-20 Championships next month.
“I’ll ask my coach (Richard Huggins) if I can do the 3km steeplechase at the Open and Under-20 Championships to see how I can go,” Nelson said.
“I want to do well at the Victorian Youth Championships and I’ll possibly do a 1500m or 3km flat race (on top of the steeplechase) depending on the schedule.
“At the moment, steeple or cross country – the longer stuff – are my best events.”