Athletics: Eliza McCartney's coach delighted by performance

Eliza McCartney reacts as she clears the bar and sets a personal best. Photo / Photosport

Eliza McCartney got the accolade which will probably mean most to her after setting a national record and personal best height at the Auckland Track Challenge on the North Shore today.

Her 4.82m also got her the Oceania record and it was the best outdoor performance of the year so far and equal best, indoor or out. Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi jumped that height in New York indoors on February 11.

But Olympic bronze medallist McCartney left her coach Jeremy McColl delighted with her achievement today.

''That's probably the best technical jumping Eliza has ever done," he said.

''She had the energy of the crowd, everything worked in her favour today."

The meet began in ordinary fashion when the 20-year-old knocked the bar off at 4.55m, but she quickly picked up her game and wowed the hometown crowd with her record leap.

''She had all the conditions today, heat and a direct tailwind which we haven't had for a long time.

''There's a brand new runway which is fast and awesome to jump on," McColl added.

McColl said McCartney had cleared 4.82m in training ''so it's not really a new height for her. But she was in the right spot, got her connection and a beautiful amount of energy on the jump."

He confirmed McCartney will contest next weekend's Auckland championships and the nationals in Hamilton next month. There's a question mark over the Australian nationals in Sydney at the end of March.

McColl was cautious at the prospect, but McCartney sounded interested in the challenge.

She is using a short 12-stride runup but that will be extended once she gets to Europe for the big international events.