NZ rep from Masterton hits stride

IN FORM: Alison Andrews-Paul, representing New Zealand in Sydney. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Masterton athlete Alison Andrews-Paul leaves tomorrow to represent New Zealand at the Australian junior track and field championships in Sydney after an ideal dress rehearsal on Sunday.

At the Wellington centre championships at Newtown Park, Andrews-Paul, 16, clocked a personal best of 57.44s to demolish her rivals in the final of the women's under-18yrs 400m, the same she will contest across the Tasman.

It was an effort which sees her now ranked second in the under-18 age group in this country and 11th overall.

But impressive as it was, Andrews-Paul is aiming for further improvement in the days ahead.

"I'd like to go under 57s in Sydney," she told the Times-Age yesterday. "If I can get another personal best there I'll be happy."

The 400m is one of the toughest of the track events in that it requires competitors to start strongly and maintain the momentum to the finish and with Andrews-Paul also having shown excellent form over 800m her stamina is one of her major attributes.

"It's hard, you don't have the chance to rest," she said. "It's pretty much a sprint the whole way."

The Wairarapa College student is also keen to pay tribute to the community for their support in raising funds for her Sydney trip, in particular Trust House and Athletics Masterton.

"Hopefully I can do them all proud," she said.

Andrews-Paul was just one of several Wairarapa athletes to shine at the Wellington championships.

Sprinter Alex Howden broke the 11s mark in the 100m for the first time in official competition, clocking 10.94s to win the men's under-20 title while Ben Winder cracked 2mins, also for the first time, in the senior men's 800m.

Stevie Paine won the women's under-20 400m and 800 titles, Jessica Duthie belied her relative lack of experience with a polished display to win the women's 18yrs track walk over 1500m, Andrea Lambert won Masters titles in the 800m and 2000m steeplechase and Katie Smith's winning effort of 11.35m in the shot put moved to her to No1 in the New Zealand rankings for her age group.