Gowanbrae teenager wins high jump title at the 2018 Australian Junior Athletics Championships

A GOWANBRAE high jumper has some lofty ambitions after winning a national championship.

Jack Walsh recently won the high jump at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney. Picture: Rob Leeson.

THE bar jumpin’ Jack Walsh sets keeps getting higher.

The track and field rising star has won the under-15 men’s high jump at the 2018 Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney.

Jack, 14, jumped 1.78m to claim the title and set a personal best by 2cm.

“It’s mind-blowing and still feels like a dream,” he said.

“I was just hoping to place or come within the top five.”

The Aitken College student said having his coach by his side and the hard yards put in leading up to the event helped him secure the result.

Jack took up high jump four years ago after he joined the Essendon Little Athletics Club and discovered he had talent for the sport.

He would go on to win a swag of junior state and national titles.

The Gowanbrae teen said the aim was to one day wear the green and gold at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Jack is a 2018 Leader Local Sports Star junior nominee. CLICK HERE to nominate someone in your community.

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