Alex Haye – On track for a strong Nationals

Alex Haye has issued a serious warning to his competitors ahead of next month’s National Secondary School Championships in Timaru.

Last Saturday he ran a personal best of 22.10s for the 200m, a result he says he was “delighted with.”

Haye only started competitive spiriting in Year 11. At last year’s nationals in Wanganui he was second in the senior 400m behind Sacred Heart’s Bailey Stewart. Stewart won the event in record time. Haye doesn’t even compete in the winter.

“I train six days a week in the winter, doing a combination of indoor and outdoor work. There is no actual competition and that’s a bit frustrating,” he says.

Haye competed as a high jumper in his first McEvedy Shield, in 2011. The buzz of the meeting had a huge impact on him.

“McEvedy is amazing. I have been lucky enough to be in the winning team three times. The crowd and the atmosphere are amazing,” he acclaims.

Haye took up running in 2012. He finished third in the under-15 200m. The following year he won the under-16 100m and finished second in the 200m.
He stepped up his training and in 2014 and 2015 he completed double success in the open 200m and 400m. He also added the 100m open title this year.

Haye’s personal best for the 400m is 48.69 at last years’ nationals. Nobody has run a quicker time this year and close rivals Adam Ramsdale (King’s College) and Stewart have left school. The title appears to be a dead set certainty.

“I am not taking anything for granted. I still expect to have to run a 49 or so to win, It will be tough,” Haye stresses.

Dean Stafford from Napier Boys’ High School who has run a 49.70 this year could be a big threat.
Haye was born in Greenwich, England. His parents are of West Indian extraction hence his nickname of “Usian Bolt.”
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In 2016 Haye plans to study at Victoria University while continuing his running.

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