Athletics: High-jump queen sets sights on heptathlon

By Murray McKinnon

Angela McKee followed winning the New Zealand high jump title in Christchurch last week with a personal best 1.83m at Papakura at the weekend.

It was touch and go last week whether McKee would finally claim a national title, after suffering a pinched nerve in her back just before flying down to Christchurch.

However, after failing at 1.70m, she came back to clear this height and went on to win with 1.80m.

The 25-year-old will compete in the New Zealand heptathlon championship in Wanganui this Saturday and Sunday.

"I've always wanted to do a heptathlon and I planned to end this season with one" she added.

In his last race before turning senior, Nic O'Brien missed lowering his New Zealand under-20 110m hurdles record of 14.23s, recording 14.76s. Last week in Christchurch, O'Brien reduced his New Zealand under-20 400m hurdles record to 51.36s.

Ian Winchester ended his local season with a 59.13m discus throw. He goes to the US next month to try to nail the Olympic qualifying distance of 63.50m.