Student achievement : Australian Athletics Championships

National U20 champion Archie Noakes

Year 12 student Archie Noakes has completed a stunning athletics season, which has seen him run World U20 qualifying times in three events and win two Gold medals at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney.

During the course of the season Archie ran qualifying times for the World U20 Championships in the 5000m, the 3000m and the 3000m Steeplechase. In a blistering 5000m run in early March, Archie ran an incredible 14:05:91 which was not only a qualifying time for the World U20 Championships but also an U18 National Record. In the Victorian Championships Archie – who at 17yo will have another year to compete in the U20 age group – blitzed the field in the 3000m Steeplechase and also beat all of the open-age men who were competing in the same race.

Archie finished off his stellar season this week with wins in two events at the Australian Championships, bringing home two Gold medals for the U20 5000m and the U20 3000m Steeplechase. This cemented his automatic selection to represent Australia in the World U20 Championships which will be held in August this year in Colombia. The event is held every two years and is considered to be the Olympics for junior athletes and Archie is weighing up his options.