Tasmanian teenage sprint sensation, Jack Hale will make his debut at the Hunter Track Classic on Jan 31.

The 16 year old has been the centre of attention in the Australian athletics community ever since he burst onto the scene in late 2014 with a string of impressive performances over 100m which include setting a new Australian Junior (U/18) record (10.42) & delivering a breath-taking run of 10.13 (wind assisted) in December to claim the National All Schools title in Adelaide.

Not bad for a kid who’s main event is long jump. Hale jumped 7.66m in October 2014 meeting the qualifying standard for the World Youth Championships set to be held in Cali, Columbia later this year.

Hunter athletics fans will get their first opportunity to see Hale in action when he lines up for the long jump and the exciting new 2x100m relay event at this year’s Hunter Track Classic.

Event Organiser Scott Westcott (Athletics NSW) is excited at the prospect of welcoming Hale to the Hunter…

“Its great for the event to have such a raw and talented young athlete coming to compete this year and we expect that just having Jack’s name on the start list will create a huge buzz amongst not only fans of track and field but sports fans in general.”

Hale indicated his excitement at competing at Glendale’s Hunter Sports Centre…

“It will be my first visit (to the Hunter) and I’m really keen for the meet.

One of my big goals for this season is to focus on progressing the long jump and I’m looking forward to jumping well there.

With the speed I’ve been getting I’m hopeful of giving the national record a good shake, which would be amazing.” (Current U/18 National Record 7.95m)

In this year’s HTC Men’s Long Jump Hale will go up againinsta1 auto draft Hale-storm Headed to the Hunter insta1st reigning Australian champion & 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games representative, Robbie Crowther (QLD) who’s career best jump is 8.12m, as well as Angus Gould (ACT) who has a PB of 7.80m.

The rarely seen 2x100m relay will be one of the standout events of the night. Hale has teamed up with a formidable partner in fellow junior sprinter Jordan Shelley (NSW).

Shelley holds U/16 National records in both the 100m & 200m & boasts a 100m PB of 10.61 which he ran at the NSW All Schools Championships in Sydney last October, also a World Youth Championships qualifier.

On being asked about the unique relay format Hale said…

“This will be my first crack at a 2x100m and I can’t wait! insta 2 auto draft Hale-storm Headed to the Hunter insta 2

We haven’t talked tactics yet so I’m not sure whether I’ll be passing or receiving the baton.

But I’m really excited to be teaming up with Jordan (referred to as ‘Shelleycopter’) to see what we can run.”

One comment by @athleticsnsw on one of Hale’s Instagram posts suggested the team name ‘Halecopter’.

Interestingly the sprint pairing may well find themselves teaming up in a similar scenario later this year at the World Youth Championships to be held in Cali, Columbia where based on recent form, the possibility of a podium finish must be realistic.

Fellow teenage sprint-star, Rohan Browning (NSW) has also confirmed he will start in the 2x100m event partnering with Tayler Currie (NSW). Browning finished 2nd behind Hale in the 2014 National All Schools Championships 100m Final in 10.18 (wind assisted)

The 2015 Hunter Track Classic will be held at Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale on Saturday 31st January from 5pm.

Tickets $12 Adult | $8 Children available via www.huntertrackclassic.com.au

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