A talented young runner from Swindon is preparing to compete on the national stage this weekend after qualifying for the National Cross Country Championship despite having run competitively for less than a year.
Leo, 14, a pupil at Lawn Manor Academy, will represent Wiltshire in the national final on Saturday 14 March after an impressive performance in the South West heat earlier this year.
Leo secured his place in the final after finishing seventh in the regional race in February, while also placing first among all the Wiltshire athletes competing. The national event will bring together 460 of the country’s top school cross country runners for a challenging 3.2km course around Sefton Park in Liverpool.
His journey into competitive running began when PE teacher and Associate Assistant Headteacher Mike Wilson noticed his natural ability and encouraged him to take the sport further.
Leo said, “I was always quite good at running and cross country since primary school, but Mr Wilson encouraged me to take it further and try out for Swindon Harriers. A month after I joined I was competing in track races and helping my team gain points, and within three months I was already reaching national competition – I really felt the pressure of that but competing really helped to boost my confidence as well as improve my mental health too.”
Leo now trains with Swindon Harriers Athletic Club under coach John Dill and has quickly developed both his racing skills and confidence.
He said, “I’m nervous about this competition but my coach at Swindon Harriers, John Dill, and Mr Wilson have helped me get my strategy in mind and I know what I need to do in order to run at my best. My dad and grandad will be in Liverpool with me too as they’ve been coming with me all over the country to cheer me on as I race.”
Mike Wilson said, “We spotted Leo’s untapped potential in athletics and through our links with the club, we encouraged Swindon Harriers to take him on a trial, where his ability was clear. Leo’s confidence and skills have grown massively in a very short amount of time and now he’s excelling.”
He added, “Whilst we have many skilled sportspeople at Lawn Manor Academy, athletics is still not the most popular amongst our young people. Being able to foster Leo’s passion to demonstrate how you can achieve your best with the right attitude, commitment, and resilience is part of our Lawn Manor values that we instil in every pupil.”
The whole school community will be cheering Leo on as he lines up alongside the country’s best young runners this weekend.
For more information about the school, visit www.lawnmanor.org.
