The best junior athletes in the state gathered at Bundoora Park in Melbourne on Thursday for the annual competition, with Walker looking to claim his third consecutive 17-20 year old boys title.

With a different preparation and focus going into the race, Walker ran third, finishing with a time of 16.17 minutes, 27 seconds behind the winner. 

Walker said while he was a little disappointed not to come away with another victory he was still pleased to finish on the podium.

“I would’ve liked to have had a win but that is just what happens sometimes,” he said,

“Myself and my coach had a chat and there were probably a few things we could have done differently but we will learn from that and take it on board for my next comp.”

“To finish third at a state title still isn’t too bad. State titles are always tough with some great runners competing.”

Walker’s fellow classmates Josh Kelly and Madi Barber both finished 47^th in their respective races. Ararat’s Marian College also had a success story at the state school championships, with Bridget McGuckian finishing 12th in the 16-year-old girls division.

Walker will now put a focus on the Australian Cross Country Championships to be held at the Sunshine Coast on August 25.

The 17-year-old said his focus in training has been on the nationals.

“I have sort of had training for nationals more in my sights than the school state titles,” he said.

“I will keep working hard up until that one in about a month.”

Walker will be playing the recovery game in the lead up to the nationals at the end of August, sustaining an ankle injury while playing for Stawell’s senior football side at the weekend.

“I will just rest up and it should be all good, nothing too serious,” Walker said.