Monbulk high-flyer Edward Buckley displays his first-place medal from the regional high jump championships earlier this month.
By Paul Pickering
MONBULK sporting prodigy Edward Buckley surprised even himself in leaping onto the dais in the Victorian Primary School Sports Association (VPSSA) State Track and Field Championships on the weekend.
Edward’s third-placed finish in the Under 13 high jump came within months of discovering his talent for the event.
While Edward’s sporting abilities are well known to staff and students at The Patch Primary School, teacher Marg Hallinan last week admitted that his spring-heel antics were something of a revelation.
Having attempted the high jump for the first time earlier this year, Edward defied his lack of formal training to win the VPSSA Eastern Maroondah and Whitehorse Zone Championships at Knox Park on 16 October – while also claiming third in the long jump.
Edward’s shy manner and laconic preparation may not have intimidated his opponents at Sunday’s state championships at Olympic Park, but his raw athletic ability certainly demanded their respect.
In soaring to a personal best mark of 1.50 metres, Edward added another award to his bulging trophy cabinet.
Before excelling on the athletics arena, Edward exploits for Yarra Junction in the Yarra Valley Cricket Association have seen him win a host of batting awards – culminating in the honour of vice-captaining the representative Victorian Country Week side.
Having seen Edward’s talents first hand, Ms Hallinan said she has no doubt that he will use his recent athletic accolades to catapult him towards a successful sporting career.
“This has been wonderful for his confidence, and I’m sure he’ll excel at high school,” she said.
