Tarneit backmarker Luke Stevens produced a blistering run to claim the 120-metre Keilor Gift on Saturday night.
Running off 3.25 metres, Stevens flew home in the final 20 metres to pip South Australian Dylan Hicks on the line.
A photo was required to split the pair, but Stevens came out on top with a time of 12.667 seconds.
His coach, John Henry, said it was a great run.
“I wasn’t surprised. I expected it,” Henry said.
Picture gallery: 2015 Keilor Gift
“Last year was his first year and he won 11 races and won a Victorian and national athlete-of-the-year award.
“The main thing to remember is he’s still only young at the caper and he’s still learning.
“I think there is only better to come.”
There will be no time to slow down for 20-year-old Stevens who will now turn his attention to the upcoming Victorian and Australian championships.
The Tarneit resident has been selected in the 100-metre and 400-metre relay events for both meets.
Despite Stevens’ pace over 100 metres, Henry believes the longer sprint race may suit the rising star better in future.
“Eventually his best race will be the 400 metres. He still runs a good 100, though,” the coach added. “If everything keeps going, most people in the know are tipping he will eventually represent Australia.”
As well as his representative duties, Stevens will also compete at Easter’s Stawell Gift.
“He might win one of the other races up there, but I don’t think the Gift will be for him,” Henry said.
“The days of runners winning Stawell off the mark he will have … I don’t think it will happen.”
