Somerset Alumnus Makes Olympics

Former Somerset College student Alex Beck has become Somerset College’s first ever Athletics Olympian after being selected to represent Australia in the 400m at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan in August. Alex was a student at Somerset College from Prep to Year 12 and was originally encouraged to get involved with the sport when Mr Andrew Halloran (Junior School P.E. Teacher) spotted him and offered to coach him at school. Alex took up the offer and so began his journey to becoming an Olympian.

Alex went on to win many competitions at school and representing Somerset College at APS, South Coast and State Championships. He broke many school records and won the College's most prestigious sports award, the Sara Carrigan Cup in Year 12. Alex is currently working at the College as one of the resident Physiotherapists. He has represented Australia many times as a relay runner at many international competitions, but never at the Olympics. At the age of 29, Alex’s time was running short and after the COVID-19 disruption it was made even more difficult to qualify. Alex teamed up with Somerset’s Head Coach of Athletics, Mark Ladbrook three years ago and has continued to run personal best’s each year since, culminating in winning the Australian Championship and Olympic selection trials in both the 200m and 400m, in April earlier this year.

Alex heads off to Cairns for the Australian Olympic Team holding camp this week and then continues to Tokyo where he will compete in the Qualifying Round of the 400m on Sunday 1 August (11.25am Tokyo time). Somerset College wishes Alex and the rest of the Olympic Team all the best at the Olympic Games and if anyone is interested in any form of sponsorship to help with his training and competition costs, please contact the College for details.