By Tara Murray
The hard work Frank Mazza has put in during the off season is starting to pay off.
In his first two competitions of the track and field season, Mazza has claimed five gold medals.
First, the 13-year-old competed in the School Sports Victoria Secondary Track and Field Championships in late October.
Having missed out on qualifying for the event, through being away at another competition, he represented his school Brookside College in just one event, the aged 12-13 boys javelin.
He claimed gold, throwing five metres further than second place.
Two weeks later, Mazza competed at the 2018 Vic All Schools Track and Field Championships, again representing his school.
He claimed gold in the under-14 javelin, long jump, triple jump and 90-metre hurdles.
The Caroline Springs resident said he was unsure how he was going to go at both competitions.
“The season had only just started,” he said.
“It was really good fun. I was really happy and you could tell that all the hard work I had been doing had paid off.”
The Vic All Schools Track and Field Championships represented the first time he had competed over the 90 metre hurdles. Despite this he was able to taste instant success.
He won the long jump and also jumped a personal best in the triple jump.
Mazza said he had been doing a lot of work in the off season. He trains with Sonja Kiernan and her crew at Proactive Athletic Coaching and Development, as well with Tim Golder at Keilor Athletics Club.
“I’ve been trying to get my fitness up by doing laps of the oval,” he said. “I’m feeling more fit.”
He said he would look to continue to build across all his events and look to improve on his long distance running in preparation for multi-event competitions.
Next up is the 2018 Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships in Cairns next month, where he will compete in the javelin, triple jump, long jump and 90 metre hurdles.
Having won three silvers at the same event 12 months ago, he has one aim this time round.
“Hopefully I go better than last time and I’m aiming for gold.”Mazza is the November nominee for the Don Deeble Rising Star award.
The award, hosted by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club and Star Weekly, recognises young athletes from the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at state and/or national levels.
Mazza will receive $1000, donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, and other prizes to assist him in achieving his sporting goals.
