ON THE RISE: Griffith's Noah Negus picked up five medals at the NSW CCC Athletics Carnival in Sydney last weekend. Picture: Anthony Stipo
RISING track and field star Noah Negus is quickly creating a reputation as a name to watch out for in the future, after picking up five medals including gold at the NSW Combined Catholic Primary Schools Athletics Carnival last weekend.
Despite coming up against the best athletes for their age in the state, Noah won medals in all but one of his six events, with the highlight being gold in the 800m.
Adding to his haul were silver medals in the 200m and shot-put and bronze in the long-jump and 100m. The all-round athlete narrowly missed out on the dais in the discus, finishing fourth.
Noah’s mother Lizl said the jump in the level of competition did have her son worried, until he started breaking previous best times and distances.
“Noah was quite anxious leading up to MacKillop Carnival as there were a lot more competitions this year as but has a great mentor and coach Matt Moon who has been training him for the last two month,” Lizl said.
“Overall he was so happy with his performances as he done a few personal bests and is all hyped up to do even better at NSW PSSA next month.
“He really wants to make the state team again this year, so is training very hard and participating in five of his events out of six next month to greater his chances of making the state team.”
Moon said he was not trying to reinvent the wheel with Noah, but hone his already considerable natural skills on and off the track.
“He’s just getting better and better, we’re changing a few things in his running style and working on his strengths,” Moon said.
“But he’s a pleasure to coach, he always listens to what I have to say and nothing is ever a drama with him.
“His will is so strong, he just gets out there and does it, and I have watched him play soccer as well, and he just impresses me with everything he does when he’s competing in anything.”
Having watched plenty of both of the Olympics and Parlympics this year, Noah, like the rest of the
world, watched mesmerised by Usain Bolt’s record runs in the 100m and 200m.
Lizl said her son harboured a desire to represent Australia at the highest level, and said despite being hearing-impaired and coming up against able-bodied athletes, he has not taken a backwards step to one day wearing the green and gold.
Noah will now take aim at the All Schools Carnival on October 17-18 in Sydney where he hopes to gain a spot in the NSW team.