Taking on the world

DAVID HALL

Bulli’s Ryan Gregson has had a huge 12 months, which has culminated in him being selected in the Australian Junior athletics team for the World Junior Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Embarking on his fourth overseas tour, 18 year-old Gregson left home on Saturday for a five-day camp on the Gold Coast before leaving Australia yesterday and will compete in the 1500m and the 5000m events before returning home on July 18.

The part-time University of Western Sydney student who is studying Business and Commerce majoring in Sports Management, is confident of doing well, but has set himself achievable goals.

“I will be a year younger than most of the competitors and will be up against noted distance runners from places like Kenya and Ethiopia and they tend to mature at a younger than us,” Gregson said.

His achievements this year are nothing short of remarkable.

He broke four Australian Junior records in November and December 2007, including two formerly held by current Australian champion Craig Mottram; the Under 20 3000m in 8.01.26 and the Under 18 3000m in 8.01.26, as well as the Under 18 1500m in 3.43.84 and the U18 5000m in 14.14.35.

Ryan also holds the NSW U20 1500m and 3000m records and NSW U18 1500m, 3000m and 5000m records with the same times.

Individual awards are nothing new to Ryan either as in 2007 he was Athletics NSW Junior (U20) Distance Runner of the Year and Junior (U20) Cross Country Runner of the Year as well as being current Australian U20 Champion for the 1500m, 5000m and Cross Country and current Australian U18 Champion for the 1500m, 3000m and Cross Country.

In an effort to test himself against stronger opposition, he competed in two Open Men’s NSW Championships in the last six months, finishing second in 10km Road Championships and third in 3000m.

Gregson was also selected in the Australian Junior (U20) Cross Country team to compete at the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland in March 2008.

He finished 31st, which is the second best ever result achieved by an Australian Junior male behind Craig Mottram. He is still eligible for this age group next year.

“The Junior Worlds are only held every second year, so I would be the right age next year, but unfortunately there won’t be a championship then, so I have to make the most of the opportunity this year.

“I have set my goals at making the finals, which would be a big effort,” Gregson added.