mmg.com.au

Benalla P-12 College student Cameron Green will join classmate and close friend Luke Baker in the School Sport Victoria Triathlon State Team to compete in the School Sport Australia Triathlon Championship.

The 15-year-old originally narrowly missed selection for the squad, but found out about three weeks ago that a spot had become available for him.

As reported in the Ensign last week, Green joins fellow Benalla triathlete Luke Baker in the squad. The two are close friends, and Green credits Baker for getting him involved in triathlons two years ago.

‘‘Luke was doing it, we became friends at school and started training together,’’ Green said.

‘‘It’s really self-motivated, but I do follow him and do his training plans. In training we compete against each other — but in the race, not so much.’’

Green does not have a coach nor personalised training plans, but competes in a half-triathlon every Wednesday with Benalla Triathlon Club. He is currently training every day in preparation for the April 2 race at Penrith, with a particular focus on running.

‘‘I’m working on my running times, I need to drop two minutes,’’ he said.

Although laid-back about his expectations of the upcoming race, Green said he was hoping to complete the course in about 70 minutes.

Surrounded by a supportive family, Green is now trying to raise money for the trip to Penrith. Green and his family will be selling raffle tickets on behalf of School Sport Victoria on Saturday mornings outside Bertalli’s Bakery, and at Benalla Aquatic Centre. Tickets are $2 each and prizes include a car, a family holiday and more.