TERANG runner Dermott O’Connor has watched others tackle his home gift with interest.
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Now he’s preparing to make his Victorian Athletic League (VAL) debut. Instead of watching the 120-metre sprint heats at Terang Recreation Reserve, he’ll be waiting for the starter’s gun.
O’Connor, 17, is entered in six events this weekend — three at Warrnambool’s gift meeting today and three at Terang tomorrow.
He is most excited about running in the Terang Gift heats.
“I had a bit of a chat to some pro runners who have run previously and they have said they had a good experience and that’s what I am really here for,” O’Connor said.
“Win, lose or draw it doesn’t bother me as long as I have a good time out there.
“I always imagined what it would be like and this year, about two or three months ago, I thought maybe if I train well enough I’d put myself in a position to at least be competitive.”
The south-west double-header will kickstart his VAL season.
“I might take time off after this weekend because it will be a pretty heavy load but I think I will run in the Maryborough Gift and maybe Ballarat,” O’Connor said.
“I am hoping to keep in touch with it this season and who knows what will happen.” The Mercy Regional College student said running was in his blood.
“It’s a big thing in my family. All my brothers, my dad and extended family, and my mum — back in the day — are good runners,” he said.
“From a young age I had a keen interest in the sport.”
O’Connor, who is a trainee at Warrnambool Racing Club, said he joined Terang Athletic Club when he was 12.
“They were fantastic and helped me get started,” he said. “Jill McKenzie and Richard Wearmouth helped my technique and got me here and I couldn’t thank them enough.”
Terang will be well-represented at its home meeting with Jacob Densley (gift and 400m), Anthony O’Connor (800m and 1600m), Xavier O’Connor (800m and 1600m) and Richard Wearmouth (70m, 120m veterans and 300m veterans) all competing.
The Terang Gift has attracted 290 entries, 70 up on 2012.
Stawell Gift winner Matthew Wiltshire, Carl Morehouse, Adam Cabble, Matthew Hargreaves, Matthew Harvey, AFL boundary umpire Adam Coote and 2012 winner Jay Blake are some of the main hopes in the Terang Gift.
Warrnambool’s meeting starts at 1pm today, with Terang to kick off its event from 12.30pm tomorrow.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au
