Right: Samuel Pike has every reason to jump for joy after finishing fourth in the long jump at the Australian All-Schools Track and Field Exchange in Cairns.
By Marc McGowan
CRANBOURNE Little Athletics Club young gun Samuel Pike enjoyed immense success at the Australian All-Schools Track and Field Exchange in Cairns last month.
Pike, 12, represented Victoria at the event after battling through regional, zone and state competition for his school, Hillcrest Christian College.
The grade six student competed in three events – long jump, 100 metres and the 4×100-metre relay, with his best individual result coming in the former where he managed a fourth placing.
He came second in the relay and finished 19th in the 100 metres.
It is in the jumping events that Pike thrives and he leapt 5.36 metres – a 32-centimetre personal best – to finish just 17 centimetres behind the eventual winner.
“It was a big surprise; we didn’t think I would get into fourth place. We were just aiming for a PB,” he said.
“I just love competing and I just do it because it’s great getting PBs, having fun and meeting new people.”
His parents travelled to Cairns with him and were overwhelmed by their son’s performances.
“We were just amazed. When he went to state we were stunned, but to get second at state – we were blown away,” his mother, Anita, said.
“It’s just been a whirlwind ride and we just tell him to enjoy it while it’s happening.”
Pike started athletics only three years ago but he has developed at a rapid rate – on and off the sporting field.
He is already six feet and is expected to grow a further 10 inches before he is done.
“Samuel really loves his basketball and he plays for Cranbourne Ice,” Anita said.
“He is enjoying athletics, too, but he might end up being too tall for athletics. Like I said, we just tell him to enjoy what you’ve got at the moment and if it works out, it works out.”
Pike trains twice a week for athletics at Cranbourne and is already beginning to specialise in particular events.
“My favourite events would have to be the long jump and triple jump,” he said.
“I focus more on them and short distance running, but not long distance and throwing anymore.
“We do drills and stretches (at training) and go into the event and do some stretches for that. Then we’ll have a few jumps and see what you can improve on.”
He has also been joined at the club by his seven-year-old brother, Benjamin, who is proving to be a handy long-distance runner.
While athletics may have begun as a way to keep his fitness up, Pike’s increasingly strong results have sparked his competitive fire.
“I have to improve on when I jump,” he said.
“I need to keep my shoulders high and lean forward more.
“It was a good experience to get this far. It is really good (but my next goal will be) to get over 5.50 at least.”
Pike’s body clock may be ticking as far as athletics goes but if he has anything to do with it, he will have a new personal best to chase sooner rather than later.
