Timaru Boys High School walker Daniel Lord is looking to create his own slice of history at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletic Championships in Timaru over the weekend.
Lord is the defending open 3000m track walk champion and is going for an unprecedented third crown in front of a home crowd at the Aorangi All-weather Track.
The 18-year-old also has his sights set on Andrew Causer’s (Burnside High School) record of 12m 40.90s set in 1990.
Lord is confident he has the ability to go under the long-standing mark but will have to improve his season’s best so far by 9s.
“I walked 2000m and was inside the time I needed, so I’ve got a chance.”
The talented walker said it was hard to gauge how good his opposition was but he was looking forward to having “home” track advantage and plenty of support.
“I’ve always performed well here so I hope I can again.”
He will start as favourite in the seven-strong field.
The New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletic Championships are the hardest place to grab a title, and with over 1400 athletes entered it is also the biggest meet in the country.
Some of the competitors do not consider athletics their number one summer sport but are more than capable of being among the medals.
Several other South Canterbury athletes could be among the medals.
Roncalli’s Lucinda Shaw, a defending champion in girls open walk over 2km, will face 11 other walkers in her bid to retain the title.
Timaru Boys High School’s Tom Walsh also goes into the event a defending champion, with the shotput title.
Craighead’s Nicola Mackle is a contender in the high jump and possibly the long jump.
Roncalli’s Lauren Nicol will also be chasing the medals in the sprints.
