NEW SPRINT KING:
DAY OFF TURNS INTO NATIONAL HAUL FOR COAST SCHOOLBOY
GOLD Coast schoolboy Tyler Hine just wanted a day off school.
Instead he has become a triple national athletics champion after winning the under-11 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the National All Schools Championships in Adelaide.
“It feels really good,” the Helensvale State School student said.
“I really I just decided that I wanted to skip school because I didn’t make it past districts last year.”
Hine and his family had no idea of the pace he possessed before physical education teacher and coach Michael Cacciola spotted him running at school and suggested he give it a try.
Cacciola said he had never seen an athlete like it during his time as a coach.
“I have coached a lot of different students over the years in different disciplines and events but Tyler is just a raw talent. He has an unbelievable technique for someone that is new to the sport. He doesn’t do any outside running with a club and is just a kid with passion, will and determination and a really positive attitude.”
Hine made his way through the state championships — where he broke his arm in a fall — before linking up with coach Glynis Nunn at Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre six weeks out from nationals.
Hine went on to post a 12.77-second 100m in his heat at the nationals before winning the final in 13.06 seconds.
He ran the 200m in 27.68 seconds before helping the Queensland relay team win the 4x100m relay.
Hine has now decided to take sprinting more seriously and will defend his national crown next year.
“I’ll probably continue on with it and keep getting golds next year and the year after that,” Hine said.