Jack Rayner will make the transition from top junior athlete to open-age prospect as a national champion.
The rising star of the Western Athletics stable overcame an interrupted preparation to coast to victory in the under-20 race at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Perth.
A hip injury shortened the build-up to one of his last major races of his junior career but after weeks of intense physio, the Altona 18-year-old won the race against time to be ready.
Rayner made his move at the 2km mark of the 8km race and was never threatened, winning in a time of 25 minutes 20 seconds.
“It was a pretty slow first 2km and no one wanted to take the lead,” Rayner told Star Weekly.
“Everyone was in a bunch but once we finished one lap I put in a bit of a surge because I knew I’d have to make a move somewhere.
“No one really went with me and I just extended the lead and I knew after 4km I’d won the race.”
Rayner has put his successful junior career down to support from long-time coach Keith Fearnley and physiotherapist Sam Leslie.
Fearnley has been by his side for 10 years and offered stability in his coaching.
“I wouldn’t be here without him,” Rayner said. “He writes out all my programs and organises all the training sessions.”
Leslie’s influence is just as important, highlighted by the need to brush off the nagging hip injury in the build up to the nationals.
Leslie is not just there to find a cure for injuries, but also does video analysis for Rayner to find ways to improve the mechanics of his running stride.
When Rayner crossed the finish line in first place, he did it for himself and for his support crew.
“I’m training pretty much every day with not many days off, so it was a great feeling to win,” he said.
Rayner will embark on the toughest period of his career when he moves into the senior ranks after cross country finishes this month.
The leap from junior star to respected senior athlete is one a lot of athletes find difficult.
“For guys my age it’s pretty difficult to get out of the juniors and into the professional seniors,” Rayner said. “It’s the next few development years that count.”
Rayner has grand plans for his senior career, but understands to achieve them the process will be long and gruelling and comes with no guarantees.
He will work overtime in the coming months to put his hand up for selection for next year’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China.
His ultimate dream is to represent Australia at a Commonwealth or Olympic Games.
Whatever the outcome, Rayner will continue to dedicate his time and energy to get the best out of his career.
Meanwhile, Western Athletics’ Matthew Hussey claimed a silver medal in the under-14 boys 3km race.
