Athletics: Fast women impress

By MURRAY MCKINNON

Outstanding women's sprinting and middle-distance running highlighted the annual Sylvia Potts Memorial meeting in Hastings.

Jane Arnott of North Harbour, aiming for 23.20s to qualify for the Manchester Commonwealth Games, led a top field in the 200m with a time of 23.84s.

Canterbury's Rebecca Wardell was second in 23.94s, followed by national under-18 and under-20 champion April Brough of Counties in 24.16s.



Chantal Brunner had a successful evening's competition, winning the 100m in a swift 11.59s and the long jump with 6.44m. The jump was wind-assisted but indicates the 6.50m qualifying distance for Manchester is not far away.

The first three in the women's 1500m all set personal best times. Kimberley Smith of Counties Manukau won in 4m 29.02s.

Australian Libby Allen remained unbeaten on the New Zealand Grand Prix circuit, winning the women's 800m in 2m 6.13s. Kelly Edge of Otago, national champion in 1997 and 1998, was a close second in 2m 6.40s.

David Baxter of Melbourne collected the men's sprint double, winning the 100m in 10.42s and the 200m in 21.07s.

Craig Barrett's 19m 37.25s in the 5000m track walk was his fastest time in five years, and 16s outside the New Zealand record.

Peter Nowill of Australia won the 3000m steeplechase in 8m 46.37s. Neville Smith of Hastings, who was fourth in 9m 16.97s, just missed the selection time for the world junior championships.