Track star Luke Stevens’ confidence is peaking in the lead-up to the 93rd Australian athletics championships in Brisbane next week.
The Western Athletics sprinter has qualified for his second national titles, but this time he will chase glory in the 200 metres and 400 metres, not the 100 metres in which he reached the semi-finals last year.
The Tarneit resident is at the top of his game, running personal best times in each of his qualifying events at last month’s state championships, securing gold in the 400 metres (46.48 seconds) and silver in the 200 (21.76).
“I was really happy with the results, but it was a bit surprising,” Stevens said.
“Going into the 400-metre final, I knew I was up against stiff competition. I knew the field of other athletes quite well and what they were capable of … I went in with nothing to lose, just stayed pretty relaxed and did everything I would do in a normal training session.
“To run in a time that I did and for me to grab the win was surreal.
“I knew I had that time in me, it was just a matter of executing. It has really set me up well for the national championships.”
The best athletes from around Australia will converge on the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre for the national titles.
There will also be a select few internationals running at the event.
“To be able to run up against them is a great experience,” Stevens said.
“It’s the event a lot of athletes work towards so I expect everyone there to bring their A game.”
Stevens wants to immediately better his personal bests and hopes that will lead to success in the Brisbane heats and a push towards the finals.
The Brisbane track and weather conditions could provide that opportunity as they historically have promoted fast times.
“From what I’ve heard and from what other athletes have told me, the weather is favourable with the humidity,” Stevens said. “It really helps with times.”
Stevens, a 20-year-old sports science student, has seen his results improve in his 18 months under coach John Henry.
Last month, the former Werribee Little Athletics Centre junior won the time-honoured Keilor Gift and followed that with his stellar performance at the state titles.
“He’s good to work with, one of those blokes who’s straight into it, no mucking around – he’s very straightforward with you,” Stevens says of his coach. “Like he says himself, he’s got some method to his madness, does everything for a reason, and so far it’s paid off.”
