In 2023, Mack Oxley crossed the finish line in 14th place at the NSW PSSA Cross Country Championships and decided 2024 would be his year.
The Armidale City Public School Year 6 student is regularly seen hitting the pavement around town, as well as participating in Armidale Parkrun and the gruelling Duval Dam Buster trail run throughout the last 12 months.
After narrowly missing the top 10 in last year’s competition he committed to do better in 2024.
For this North West athlete, ‘better’ brought home the gold medal with a cracking time of 9:53 at last month’s NSW PSSA Cross Country Championships in Sydney.
It was the reward for a year of training, dedication and perseverance, not to mention his determined attitude.
Track Taipans coach Jay Stone has been a big help to Mack, as he worked to improve.
“Jay has helped me make sure I stay healthy and uninjured,” Mack said.
“I have found the training plan helpful and a bit different from what I had previously done.”
His passion for running has also seen Mack assist those around him.
In the lead-up to Armidale City Public School’s cross-country carnival, he was seen daily helping train some of his peers who wanted to improve their running results.
On Monday, Mack and his family head off to Yarra Glen in Victoria, with his eyes firmly on testing himself at the Nationals.
He is excited as this is his first time representing New South Wales.
“I am proud of myself for making it this far, I am not too worried about the result as I am so happy to have made it,” he said.
When he returns, he will compete at the North West regional athletics carnival in the 1500 metres where he hopes to improve on his performance last year to earn more representative honours.
Later this year, he aims to break the Duval Dam Buster 16km record.
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