The 11-year-old devastated the competition at the NSW Combined Catholic Primary Schools competition in Sydney claiming the gold medal and running a personal best in the 3km event for athletes with disabilities.

Hard work and dedication got the youngster to the front of the pack where he led to the finish line beating his best race by about 500m.

Jarrod is ecstatic with his result after he made his way through each level prior to taking out the title at the State contest.

St Joseph’s principal Paul Slattery said the school is proud of their young athlete.

He said Jarrod is the first student to represent St Joseph’s and the Armidale Diocese in the competition.

If he is selected at the State carnival he will head to nationals in Perth later in the year.

Jarrod trains almost every day with a 3 or 4km run but his talent is certainly not limited to the track.

Jarrod has also achieved impressive results in his other favourite sport, swimming, which he said he would continue to pursue on top of his running in the future.

But he’s only just getting started as athletics events are on the cards as well.

As there isn’t a high jump section for athletes with disabilities in the athletics competition, Jarrod competes against all 11-year-old competitors.

Jarrod is now looking at a couple of weeks of school holidays when he plans to prepare for State in the first week of third term.