Liam Lamb. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
ATHLETICS
CHRIS COGDALE
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Promising Wairarapa athlete Liam Lamb has been selected in the New Zealand team for the Australian cross-country championships.
Lamb’s selection comes after a 14th placing at the national secondary school championships in Timaru followed by a meritorious third at the North Island cross-country Championships in Taupo.
The 18-year old said he was hopeful of selection after the two performances.
“I was pretty shocked to be honest,” he said on Monday.
“I thought it could be a possibility after the national secondary school champs, but it came as a surprise and I’m overwhelmed.
“I thought I’d be a good chance of being selected after coming third at the North Island championships and beating some of the guys who beat me in Timaru. That increased my chances,” he said.
Lamb has progressed well over the past 18 months where he is now nationally-ranked for the 800m, 1000m, 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m events in the Under 20 Grade. His best ranking is fifth over 5000m.
The Australian championships will be held in Wollongong, New South Wales, in late August,
Lamb’s build-up includes the New Zealand cross-country championships at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt, on August 4.
Looking further ahead, the Wairarapa College pupil has lofty ambitions.
“The Olympic Games in six years. I want to go to the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
In the meantime, Lamb is uncertain what direction his burgeoning athletics career will take him.
“I’ve been approached by two universities, but I’ve got to really see what they’re offering and talk to my coach [Mark Harris] about it, but it’s not so much a plan yet.”
