Story By Coach Bjorn Jansen
Just four weeks after being crowned English Schools Junior Boys 300m Champion, Tommaso (Tommy) Crosara has struck gold again, this time at the U15 National Championships, confirming his place at the very top of his age group in the UK.
Winning one national title is hard enough. In different championship settings, doing it twice a month takes more than just speed. It requires preparation, focus, and the ability to handle the pressure of being a marked athlete. Tommy showed all that and more, delivering another championship performance when it mattered most.
From English Schools to National Champion
Tommy's road to nationals began with his breakthrough in July at English Schools. That weekend, he produced a huge personal best of 35.76 in the heats, breaking his club record, moving to UK No.1, and climbing to 16th on the UK All-Time list. The following day, he backed it up with a perfectly executed 35.95 in the final to claim his first national schools title.
That performance not only put him in the spotlight but also put a target on his back. Every athlete lining up at Nationals knew the standard Tommy had set, and he embraced that pressure.
Navigating Three Rounds to Become National Champion
The U15 300m at Nationals is a test of more than just raw speed; it's about managing energy and executing across three rounds in two days.
On Friday afternoon, Tommy opened his campaign with a controlled 36.06 in the heats, his third-fastest time over the distance. He kept his composure, ran within himself, and booked his place in the semi-final just three hours later.
That evening, he stepped back on the track for the semi-final and produced a strong 36.16, securing his spot in Saturday's final. It was another well-managed race, quick enough to progress comfortably, but measured to ensure he was fresh for the biggest stage.
In Saturday's final, the conditions were blustery, and the stakes were high. Tommy stayed locked into his race model, controlling the early stages, transitioning smoothly off the bend, and driving hard down the home straight. His time of 36.66 was enough to take the title and complete the double, English Schools and National title, in the same season.
Three rounds. Three standout performances. One gold.
More Than Just a Win
From the outside, championships are all about medals and performance. But this second national title represents much more for those who've watched Tommy's journey closely.
It's about the work behind the scenes, the cold evenings, the technical drills, the hard sessions, and the feedback loops between athlete and coach. We trust in the process and follow the plan even when it means holding back in training to be fresh for competition. It's about mindset in the moment, staying calm in the call room, focusing on execution, and being confident in the race model.
Tommy, you earned this through your discipline, consistency, and ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
Looking Ahead
Two national titles in four weeks is an extraordinary achievement, but Tommy is already looking forward to the next stage. The next stage isn't about resting on success; it's about using this momentum to keep developing.
As his coach, I welcome that hunger. Tommy is chasing the next level of performance, and that mindset will keep him progressing. His aim is not just to maintain his current standard but to push beyond it, refining his technique, building his speed endurance, and continuing to mature as a championship racer.
The 2025 season has been a defining one for Tommy Crosara. In one year, he went from a semi-finalist at nationals to a double national champion and one of the country's standout young talents.
But if you ask him, he'll tell you this is only the beginning, and he welcomes the chase.
On to the next one.
