TEN YEAR old Aiden Cook who competes at the Leongatha Little Athletics Club won the Under 11 High Jump State Title on the weekend.
Held at Knox and competing against participants from clubs across Victoria, Aiden jumped 1.48 meters to earn the top spot against 24 other high jumpers.
“It's a good achievement to go up against all the big clubs around Melbourne and come out with a gold medal,” said Aiden's Dad, Shane.
A gifted athlete, Aiden recently won medals in 100 metres sprint and in high jump at the School Sports Victoria (SSV).
He also plays basketball and on the morning of his win played a game before going on to jump to a great height at the State Titles.
The last person to win a gold in high jump for Leongatha at the Little Athletics State Titles was Eleanor Patterson who went on to compete in High Jump at the 2014 Commonwealth Games when she was only 18.
Aiden wasn’t expecting to win the gold medal, because he had come second in the school sports.
“He's probably the best jumper out there, but the pressure got to him (at the SSV) and he was quite relaxed on the weekend, and so he’s super pumped with it,” said Shane.
The Little Athletics National Titles will be held in the Gold Coast, but the family are not yet sure whether Aiden will compete, as they will be going to watch Aidens sister compete there in swimming next week.
Shane also mentioned he was grateful to Aidens school teacher Lachie Hughes who got Aiden into high jumping and has helped out a lot and has got the best out of Aiden.
