Phillips, Hull prove they're among best in country

Athletes from LJ Hooker Athletics Whangarei set four personal best times and achieved two national rankings places when they competed in the John Walker Night of Miles at Mount Smart Stadium.

Two of Athletics Northland's top performers, 16-year-old Riana Phillips and 14-year-old Imogen Hull, proved they were among the best in the country with performances which saw both girls enter the national rankings in fourth place in their respective events.

Phillips took out the 400 metres, running a personal best time of 59.88 seconds. It was her first time she had run under 60 seconds.

"It felt awesome because it's everything I have worked hard for this year," Phillips said.

Hull's performance came in the mile, where she improved by six seconds on her previous best time, clocking in with 5min 25.84 seconds. The race was won by national secondary schools senior medallist Laura Cowling from Pukekohe.

"When I heard the lap times I was happy because I knew I would make the national rankings," Hull said. "I am thrilled to get a PB and a national ranking in the same race."

Rachyl Edge won the W16 800m in 2:42.34, also a best time for the athlete, while 10-year-old Caitlin Ahlers, guesting in the Auckland junior championship 1500m, ran a fine race to finish eighth with a PB of 6:10. All four girls are coached by Chris Portch.

Also guesting in the Auckland junior championship 1500m was 13-year-old Amanda Still, who finished in third place.

Hull will have one more race before Christmas as she seeks to improve her Athletics Northland W16 5000m record in a meeting at North Shore on Wednesday.