They say it’s Auhl in them hills

Living in the hills has given Lachlan Auhl the upper hand in cross country as he's about to represent Victoria in his newly acquired sport. 142253 Picture: JARROD POTTER

By JARROD POTTER

SOMETIMES a good run around can turn into something extremely significant as Beaconsfield Upper Primary School runner Lachlan Auhl discovered this week.
Auhl, 12, from Upper Beaconsfield, is usually found charging up and down the basketball courts and football ovals around the south east, however he finished third at the recently held SSV State Cross Country finals and immediately qualified to represent the state schoolboys’ team at the upcoming nationals in August.
It’s not often a fun run earns you a state jersey, but Auhl was thrilled to get his chance to represent Victoria, even if it is in a sport he didn’t expect.
“Was just having a little bit of fun and just seeing how far I can get,” Auhl said.
“I came third at the state champs – was three kilometres and think I did it in 9.30 minutes.
“It feels exciting and I’m pretty grateful that I made it in.”
Charging around the hills has its advantages for the long-distance, all-terrain runner who thinks living in Upper Beaconsfield helps him out in cross country immensely. He has to run around on hills, mud and dirt if he wants to train near home after all.
“Because we’re living up in the hills it’s easier to run up the hills and run on the dirt and grass,” Auhl said.
“I can run longer than I did last year – can go longer without getting tired as I’ve done more training with running this year.”
Auhl’s ambitions for the national championship is to finish in the top 10 and help improve his running, with summer athletics also set to be put into an increasingly busy schedule.
“Coming in the top 10 – that would be fantastic for me,” Auhl said.
It’ll add another sport to his busy schedule – playing for both Beacy Bandits and Narre Warren Warriors in basketball and Beaconsfield Junior Football Club in his other beloved code.
Auhl loves his HPV as well – just to add another sport to list of passions – as he excels in yet another endurance event to help stay in peak condition.
His school team won at Maryborough last year – one of the premier events on the Human Powered Vehicle calendar.
He wanted to thank his teachers, Mr Hughes and Mr. MacGill for their support of his sporting ambitions.
Auhl’s national cross country campaign runs from 28 to 31 August.