VALE youngster William Gearey put in a commanding display to win the 12-and-under West Midlands Biathlon Championship at Tudor Grange, Solihull.
The 11-year-old, who attends St Egwin’s Middle School, Evesham, and swims for Pershore Swimming Club, advances to the British finals on November 29 at the same venue.
The modern biathlon comprised an 800-metre run and 50m swim with points allocated for each individual event.
Gearey, competing in his first event, faced stiff opposition from several leading specialist private schools and large Midlands swimming clubs.
In his 800m heat, Gearey led from the gun to win in two minutes 41.43 seconds and secure 1,204 points.
He beat Luke Warren from Ellesmere College on 2.46.04 (1,135 points) and Oscar Hamilton-Russell from Wolverhampton Grammar School on 2.46.83 (1,123).
Gearey then did the fastest 50m freestyle swim in 28.93 for 1,336 points.
He again edged out Warren on 32.16 (1,240 points) and William Cooper from Queens Mary Grammar School on 33.18 (1,210).
Gearey won overall on 2,540 points ahead of Warren (2,375) and Cooper (2,309). He is likely to be seeded second for next month’s British final.
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