By JARROD POTTER
EVEN though he could not compete at the nationals, Haileybury cross-country runner William Armstrong was thrilled just to make the School Sport Victoria Cross Country team.
Armstrong, 17, from Southbank, earned his place in the state cross-country squad after a high-ranking performance at the state finals earlier this year.
A back injury curtailed any chance of Armstrong attending the national finals, held last month in Albany, Western Australia, and although he was unable to compete, he was excited to earn his place on the team.
“I was relieved and happy to make the team,” Armstrong said.
“I had a back injury following the race, so I had to pull out, but I made the team so that was my goal and I’m pretty excited about that.
“There’s always next year.”
His goal of making the team was forged as a kid, as he always wanted to improve his running while he was moving up the age-groups and the rankings.
“I guess it was just a lot of training and dedication and it’s been a goal of mine for about two years now,” Armstrong said.
“I’ve always wanted to do it ever since I was a kid, but I’ve really focused on doing it the last two years… it took a lot of training and listening to my body, and not missing out on any sessions.”
He’ll switch his focus to athletics over the summer where he will run his pet event – the 3000 metre run.
Last year he earned a fourth place finish in the All Schools Athletics Championships in the 3000m and hopes to make it onto the dais this year.
Armstrong wanted to thank Tom Watson, a former student and his running coach, school coach Kate Richardson along with his parents Anne and David for their support.
