By Tara Murray
After a technicality prevented Caroline Springs’ Frank Mazza from earning a state athletics under-16 heptathlon record late last year, he now has the record in his hands.
Mazza broke the under-16 hepathlon record in November last year, but with the hurdles height incorrect, it meant the record didn’t count.
Earlier this month, he claimed the record as he starred at the Athletics Victoria Vic Multi-event Championships in Bendigo.
Mazza said it was good to finally have the record. “I’m really happy I have the record on paper now,” the 14-year-old said.
“Last time I scored more points, but the hurdles height was wrong. It was my first senior heptathlon.
“It gave me somewhere to base my points off. It really motivated me.”
Competing for Keilor-St Bernard’s, Mazza finished with 4497 points in the under-16 age group at the Bendigo event, which also saw him break the venue record for his age group, which was set in 2001.
Mazza won every event in the multi-event, including the 1500 metres which is his weakest event. He recorded an 11 second personal best in that event.
The score was enough to see him earn two state records, the under-15 and under-16 multi-event records.
It’s been a big summer for Mazza, as he competes at the senior level for the first time in his career.
He is still competing in Little Athletics competitions as well.
“It’s kind of weird,” he said competing in both juniors and seniors. It’s been hard with a lot of training and a few different trips to compete.”
The Maribyrnong Sports College student doesn’t have much time to rest with a couple of big events still to come this season.
He is one of eight students from his school selected to compete at the Simplot Games in America in February.
He will compete in the long jump, relay and possibly the high jump.
Mazza will be the favourite in the state little athletics combined event, which is similar to the multi event.
Then he will compete in the nationals in Sydney
