Ballina’s Jay Meaney a National Champion
- Jay Meaney
15 year old Woodlawn College student Jay, recently won the individual Mens U16 400m event in 49.43 secs at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships held in Doncaster Victoria 4th 5th Dec 2010. Worth noting is Cathy Freeman’s 2000 Olympic Gold Medal for the 400m was won in 49.13 secs.
Jay, son of Damon and Helen Meaney of East Ballina, has been Coached by Gordon Semmens since 2005 and this year has also received specialist Coaching by former Olympic Gold Medalist Glynis Nunn-Cearns.
In the leadup to the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships, starting with 3rd place in this event (400m)at the Aust All Schools Championships held in Hobart Dec 2009, Jay has continued to shine throughout 2010 in athletics.
- Jay was Awarded Ballina Shire Sports Person Of The Year 2010
- St Johns College Woodlawn Athletics Age Champion
- Diocesan Age Champion and broke 15yr boys 400m record with a time 52.27- Aug 2010
- NSW Combined Catholic Colleges – Won 400m & 2nd in 200m- Sept 2010
- NSW All Schools won 400m with a time of 50.04 pb – held Sydney Olympic Park Oct 2010
- Aust All Schools Doncaster Vic – Won 400m with PB time of 49.43 *(this time is faster than the Current NSW Record for this event)
- Also runner of the final leg (400m) in the NSW team for the 1000m Swedish relay event which also won Gold at this year’s Aust All Schools C/ships.
I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more of this local young man in the future. Jay is also involved in local SLS Volunteer patrols and Ballina Junior Rugby League.
Take a minute (49.43 secs to be exact) to view the full 400m race.
Jay running the final leg of the Swedish Relay for the NSW winning team.
December 17th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Well done Jay, I was so happy for you last year getting the Ballina Shire Council’s Junior sportsman of the year on Australia Day. Good luck for this year’s nominations.
January 17th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Congratulations, well done Jay.