Max Press – Pressing On

Max Press

Max Press was a competitive swimmer but that purist was aborted recently in favour of athletics.

Nationally the Year 13 at St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream has run the second fastest time in the under-18 800m this year.

Two weeks ago at the Old Boys’ Cup he run a personal best and school record time of 1:56.09. Is the relative novice a National title contender?

“I would like to think so, but it’s hard to gauge where I am at. Though I have run the second fastest time this year there are people in my age group who have run quicker times than me,” Press admits.
Running quick at the McEvedy Shield on Tuesday is the immediate concern of Press. Silverstream was comprehensively beaten by Catholic rivals St Pats Town in the Old Boys’ Cup. However Press completed the 800/1500m double for the second time and is hopeful that Silverstream can put up a stern fight.

“We actually led at lunch time and you never know what can happen. Town have been strong at McEvedy and we showed we can compete with them.”

Flourishing at McEvedy has never been a problem for Press. In Year 10 he won the 800/1500m double as well as the javelin. Last year he won the 800/1500m double, but athletics hasn’t been without its challenges. In Year 11 Press suffered a serious stress fracture on the shin which forced him out of  competition for a year.

“I was swimming at that time and came back from a met feeling real fit. I over extended myself running and injured my shin,” Press recalls.

“The hardest thing about being injured was watching others improve and having to start from scratch and build up my strength and endurance again.”
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A week after McEvedy Press will compete at the Club Nationals. He is well and truly back.

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