MAKING the breakthrough into a state representative athletics side is a big achievement in the ultra competitive high school scene.
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Bathurst junior Jack Lynch achieved the feat following his excellent performance in the 400 metres at the NSW All Schools Championships.
His time at the event booked him a ticket to the Australian Junior Athletics Championships running from April 1 to 7 at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre where he'll go up against the best athletes the country has to offer.
Lynch was busy continuing his strong form at last weekend's NSW Junior Championships.
He progressed into the final of the under 18s 400m at the recent championships courtesy of a 52.61 second time in his heat.
Lynch was short of a top two in his heat necessary for finals qualification, finishing third, but he was comfortably the fastest of those who missed a direct passage through to the deciding race.
He bettered his mark in the final where he came home fourth in 51.74.
Across 2018 the Saint Stanislaus' College student progressed through the Independent Sporting Association carnival and Combined Independent Schools carnival to land a place at September's NSW All Schools Championship.
It was there Lynch came home third overall in the under 16s 400m with a time of 50.33 seconds.
The top three finish gave Lynch his ticket into the NSW team.
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"I've been building up to this for a few years. I kept working at it and began to get closer and closer," Lynch said.
"I'd placed fourth at the NSW All Schools finals twice before that and this was my first state medal.
"Making the team was a goal I'd had for a while and I'll keep building on that and see where it gets me. Training's been going great and it keeps me focused.
"A PB would be really nice and making a final would be great.
"This is my first year being at nationals so just being there is amazing. I'll be going there to see what it's about and what the other boys around the country are running."
Lynch had started out taking on a range of track events in his athletics career but forged a strong bond with the 400m the further he got into high school.
"I decided in early high school I found that the 100m and 200m, as I got up to the higher levels, just weren't for me," he said.
"My mum's a 400m runner so that distance runs in the family."
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
