DPS Warrnambool's Jacob Taylor credited a competitive training environment and dedicated coaches for helping him score his first Victorian Athletic League victory.
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The 37-year-old stormed home from the back mark (18 metres) in the 300-metre masters event at Geelong on Saturday.
Taylor secured the win in the final metres of the race with training partner Carl McMeel also finishing on the podium in third.
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Fellow DPS member Josh Drysdale also ran well in the same final while Paul Frusher just missed out on progressing from his heat.
"The training is everything and its hard to replicate (races) but we have a few doing the same event and know our handicaps and that really helps," Taylor said.
"The coaching (by Rob Duynhoven and Wayne Perry) is incredible and they know how to get us to the right stage and have a lot of experience.
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"My coaches said I had been training alright but I didn't expect to to be able to do it. I felt the track suited me with the two corners so you can go quicker around there and it all came together."
Taylor finished first in his heat in 38.116 seconds before running 37.887 in the final. He also finished fifth in the 100-metre final.
The accountant said it was back to training as he decides what his next race will be.
It was also a strong day for the stable with reigning Geelong Gift champion Hannah Duynhoven finished third in her return to the marquee women's final.
Layla Watson made two finals in the open women's 300m and under 18 girls gift. While her sibling Aubery made the under 14 gift final, where he finished fourth.
Anna Kasapis ran a tough 800m final to be pipped for the win in the last lunge to the line.
Hudson Downes also raced well in his under 14 and 18 gifts, while Jane McMeel had her first run in the pros in the 550 and 300-metre events.
Elsewhere, Grace Kelly placed second in her heat and ranked fourth overall at the Vic Open 100-yard championship, but due to her age could not progress further.
Kelly also raced in the 200-metre open, running a new PB of 24.94 in +1.7 wind to secure an Australian championship qualifying time.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
