National placings for Paul

Local athlete Paul Steel of Umina has gained placings at the Australian National Youth Athletics Championships in Canberra on March 27 and 28.

Competing in the Under-16 Men's 100m and 200m events, Paul finished third in both with times of 11.68 seconds and 22.79 seconds respectively.

Representing New South Wales, he also won a gold medal in the 4 x 100m Under-16 Men's relay.

Paul has competed at Woy Woy Little Athletics for the last 10 years and has also competed at his school athletics carnivals.

This season he has won both the 100m and 200m at the Zone and Regional competitions and took silver in the 200m at the National competition and has also won silver at the State Youth Titles in both the 100m and 200m.

In school competition, Paul has competed at State All-Schools level and has also qualified for the National All-Schools competition in December.

Last year, he also won the Up and Coming Award at his school.

Wayne Anstee, April 1