Athletics NZ weekly round-up 19 March 2018

AUCKLAND

Skycity Vertical Pursuit, Federal Street - 18 March 2018

Eliza McCartney soared to new heights in the pole vault clearing 4.90m in an exhibition event in downtown Auckland.

This was new territory for McCartney as it was eight centimetres higher than her New Zealand all-comers, resident, national and Oceania records and the sixth highest globally all-time by a woman, behind Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia) 5.06m (world record), world indoor champion Sandi Morris (USA) 5.00m, Jennifer Suhr (USA) 4.92m, Yarisley Silva (Cuba) 4.91m and 2016 Olympic champion and world champion Katerina Stefanidi (Greece) 4.91m.

But unfortunately the make-shift run-way did not comply for record purposes being set on a slight decline.

However rather than being disappointed at not being able to claim a fresh record McCartney was at her usual bubbly self after the event.

"Im feeling so good, everything was clicking really well in the jump and what weve been working on in training is coming through and it was so nice to get a look at those really big heights that Ive really never jumped before.

"We knew going into it that it wouldnt be completely legal, I wouldnt say that my PB is 4.90m, but still being able to jump a 4.90m bar regardless of what the run-up set up is like and thats still awesome," said McCartney.

It is also a huge confidence boost going into the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

"The Gold Coast is going to be the big one thats going to be the one where I want to be hitting these heights again hopefully and obviously this would be the best lead into the Commonwealth Games that I could hope for," she added.

McCartney went on to have three unsuccessful attempts at five metres, something her coach Jeremy McColl said she is not too far away from achieving.

"Shes been jumping it in training, its only a matter of time before it clicks in comp and she can jump a lot higher than that," said McColl.

American Morgann LeLeux was second with 4.35m while recently crowned New Zealand champion Imogen Ayris cleared a personal best 4.20m.

Nick Southgate, six times NZ champion and Gold Coast bound, cleared 5.10m, and went close in three attempts at 5.25m. James Steyn was second with 4.60m and Ettiene Du Preez third clearing 4.50m.

TIMARU

Timaru Super Shot, Caroline Bay Soundshell - 14 March 2018

Tom Walsh broke his New Zealand resident shot put record by 26cm with a throw of 22.06m, just 9cm short of Ryan Crousers New Zealand allcomers record.

It was Walshs first competition in Timaru since 2012 and the big local crowd were happy to see him in action, just over two weeks after he won the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham with a championship and national record of 22.31m. Canadian Tim Nedow (third at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games) was second with 20.77m and Australian record holder Damien Birkinhead was third with 20.75m. Walshs series was 21.35m, 22.06m, x, 21.13m, 21.20m, x.

Behind them were former double world indoor champion, Ryan Whiting from USA (20.54m), 2014 Glasgow Games champion ODayne Richards (Jamaica) (20.49m) and 2016 World Junior champion Konrad Bukowiecki (Poland) (20.19m).

Walsh was full of praise for the people of Timaru who turned out to watch the competition.

"It was an awesome night I didnt expect this many people, there is so much support in Timaru to come out to support not only me but the rest of the guys, even the Aussie guy and the guy who managed to pip me at the post at the last Commonwealth Games, it was awesome and we really appreciated it," said Walsh.

"Well have to bring another comp back to Timaru," he added.

Walsh confirmed his form to tick off the first box he has set himself a Commonwealth gold medal. He also has his sights set on Randy Barnes 1990 world record of 23.12m.

"I had a great start to the year winning world indoors and now Ive got to keep it going and keep throwing those 22 metre ones. I know these guys are going to push the world record which is 23.12m and if I dont get there first someone else is, so thats my goal."

Canadian Brittany Crew won the womens shot with 17.89m from compatriot Taryn Suttie (16.99m) and Brittany Smith (USA) (16.04m).

Tori Owers (15.70m), Jaidyn Busch (13.34m PB) and Lauren Bruce (13.23m) filled the next three placings.

CHRISTCHURCH

The Big Shot, Retro Sports Facility, Corner Durham and Kilmore Streets - 16 March 2018

Tom Walsh beat some of the best shot putters in the world with his winning performance of 21.65m.

ODayne Richards improved on his Timaru performance two days earlier to finish in second place with 20.61m. Tim Nedow from Canada finished in third on 20.50m to make it a Commonwealth trifecta for the three medallists from the 2014 Glasgow Games. Walshs series was x, 21.65m, 21.50m, 21.60m, x, x.

"It was not too bad considering the weather tonight, it was a little bit cold. Its been two comps in three days, its always a little bit tough to be on top form, but Im pretty happy with that. I know if Id really got after one today Id be pushing that 22 mark," said Walsh.

In the Womens contest, Dame Valerie Adams started strongly with a seasons best 18.03m and led the competition at the conclusion of the fifth round.

Canadas Brittany Crew, winner at the Timaru Super Shot, hit a winning 18.42m on her final throw and while Adams improved with the final put of the competition to 18.06, she could not close the gap. Victoria Owers, despite having four fouls in her six attempts, came in third with 16.80m in front of her home crowd. Adams series was 18.03m, x, 17.59m, 17.44m, 17.57m, 18.06m.

With the Commonwealth Games shot put final just four weeks away Adams said everything is going to plan.

"I only had a child five months ago and the progress Ive made has been quite intense and quite rapid so Im looking forward to just keep going and doing what we are doing," she said.

Jaidyn Busch 3kg SP 14.68m. James Coates 5kg SP 12.09m (4).

WANAKA

New Zealand Mountain Running Championships, Cardrona - 17 March 2018

Sabrina Grogan successfully defended her New Zealand mountain running title in winning the 12km event in 1:20:16. Nancy Jiang was second in 1:21:03 and Sarah Douglas third in 1:32:10. Niam MacDonald went two better than his third last year to win the senior mens crown in 1:11:14 for the 12km. Former national junior steeplechase champion Harry Burnard was second in 1:14:00 with Matthew Scott third in 1:23:35.

Ben Williams won the junior mens title over 8km in 51:49, beating Shaun Souness and Albie Small. Dwight Grieve won the master men 35-49 12km in 1:20:31, Kelvin Meade was second in 1:22:06 and Simon Green third. The master men 50 plus 8km went to Cliff Bowman in 52:50 and Paula Canning won the master women 8km in 1:01:13 from Judith May 1:04:06.

WHANGAREI

Northland Secondary Schools Championships, Trigg Sports Arena - 15 March 2018

SB Alexander Hull 3000m 8:57.11 (Rec). Reuben Gregory HT 50.16m DT 41.33m. SG Aimee-Leigh Scott HT 44.68m (Rec). IB Jai Dawson 800m 2:02.44. Nic Kini HT 52.00m, SP 15.90m, DT 51.81m. Jordan Hetaraka HT 45.91m, SP 12.00m, DT 1.25kg 42.39m. IG Olivia Sherman SP 12.60m (Rec). Mateja Matijevich-Wiki HT 39.22m, SP 11.09m. Jenna Johnston HJ 1.58m. JG Amy Alderton LJ 5.04m (0.0) PB, TJ 10.75m (+0.3) PB (Rec). Jacqui Cameron HT 30.38m.

WELLINGTON

Athletics Wellington Meeting, Newtown Park - 17 March 2018

Wellington 10,000m championship, Daniel Jones 30:29.8 ht, Hirotaka Tanimoto 31:37.6, Rowan Hooper 32:18.0. Women; Letha Whithan 39:14.9, Sarah Riceman 39:34.9. Saravee Sos 100m 11.7. Sean Howe 5kg SP 15.25m, 5kg HT 42.39m. Nathaniel Sulupo 7.26kg SP 15.08m. Montaya Wharehinga HT 50.12m. Finn Seeds 2000m steeplechase 6:16.2.

AUSTRALIA

Sydney Grand Prix, SOPAC - 17 March 2018

Katrina Robinson cut eight seconds off her previous best 3000m time in finishing second in 9:03.84 to break her own New Zealand under 18 record and establish fresh records for under 19 and under 20 New Zealand records. Her under 18 record was 9:12.18 set in Brisbane in February, and she erased Rosa Flanagans under 19 2015 record of 9:07.85 and Sue Bruces 1984 under 20 record of 9:05.95. Robinson who also holds the under 17 record now holds all the junior grades 3000m New Zealand records. Joseph Millar 100m 10.46 (0.0) (2), 200m 21.04 (+1.5) (3). Joshua Hawkins 110m H 14.03 (-0.3) (2). Holly Robinson F46 JT 40.43 (7). Mackenzie Keenan 400m H 762mm 62.05 (8).

Australian under 20 Championships, SOPAC Sydney - 14/18 March 2018

Winners were Nelson McCutcheon 5000m walk, Zion Trigger-Feitele shot put, Aria Rhodes pole vault, Ryan Ballantyne shot put, Dominic Overend 100m in a New Zealand under 17 record, Maddison Wesche shot put and Para-Athlete William Stedman in the long jump and 400m.

14 March: Rowan Blaikie 400m 50.29 (3H1). Zion Trigger-Feitele 1.5kg DT 48.66m PB (3). Hamish Mears 1.5kg DT 45.90m (8). Nelson McCutcheon 5000m walk 23:04.38 (1). Jordyn Blake 400m 57.01 PB (4H1). Phoebe McKnight 5000m 16:58.90 (3). Samantha Burke 5000m 17:42.10 (7). Samantha Corbett 2000m steeplechase 7:06.08 PB (4). Joshua Lush T20 Para 200m 23.79 (-0.3) (2H2), 24.07 (+2.0) (6), LJ 5.83m (-2.1) (3). William Stedman T36 Para LJ 5.31m (0.0) (1). Anna Steven T64 Para 200m 31.82 (0.0) (2H2), 32.23 (+1.7) (3), LJ 3.54m (-1.7) (4).

15 March: Oliver Parkinson 110m hurdles 990mm 14.99 (-0.3) (2H1), 400m hurdles 914mm 56.59 (2H2). Oliver Miller 400m hurdles 914mm 57.62 (4H1). Zion Trigger-Feitele 5kg SP 16.70m (1). Isaiah Priddey 1500m 3:57.23 (1H2). James Uhlenberg 1500m 3:59.10 (8H1). Theo Quax 1500m 4:01.05 (7H2). Murdoch McIntyre 3000m 8:41.65 (3R1). Samantha Corbett 3000m 10:58.80 (18). Josephine Reeves HJ 1.69m (5). Aria Rhodes PV 3.70m PB (1). Ashleigh Bennett LJ 5.83m (+1.3) (4). Briana Stephenson LJ 5.78m (+0.6) (6). Tegan Duffy LJ 5.40m (+0.1) (17). Caitlin Bonne JT 600g 38.72m (11). 4 x 100m relay NZ (Jordyn Blake, Briana Stephenson, Tegan Duffy, Leah Belfield) 48.20 (3).

16 March: Oliver Parkinson 110m hurdles 14.69 (+0.8) PB (4). Ryan Ballantyne 6kg SP 19.92m (1). Nick Palmer 6kg SP 18.82m PB (4). Jordyn Blake 400m 57.06 (9). Katie Corbett 400m hurdles 762mm 68.23 (6H1). Tatiana Kaumoana DT 45.68m (6). Mellata Tatola DT 41.34m PB (10). Caitlin Bonne DT 40.61m (12). Isaiah Priddey 1500m 3:49.48 (3). William Stedman T36 Para 400m 56.66 (1H1), 58.70 (1).

17 March: Dominic Overend U/17 LJ 5.86m (-1.0) (11). Ethan Holman U/20 100m 11.00 (-0.9) (2H1), 11.12 (+0.2) (8). Nick Smith 100m 11.06 (-1.3) (7H2). Sam Diggelmann 100m 11.12 (+0.9) (5H3). Oliver Miller 400m H 914mm 54.95 (5). Oliver Parkinson 400m H 914mm 55.76 (6). Matt Walsh TJ 14.67m (-1.1) (4). Andrew Allan TJ 13.05m (+0.9) (10). Briana Stephenson 100m 12.24 (+0.4) (2H3), 12.32 (-0.4) (8). Leah Belfield 100m 12.55 (0.0) (5H2). Jordyn Blake 100m 12.84 (-0.3) (8H1). Stella Pearless 800m 2:15.57 (7H1). Mellata Tatola HT 39,76m (9). Tatiana Kaumoana HT 38.02m (12). William Stedman T36 Para 100m 13.24 (+0.6) (2H1), 13.18 (-1.6) (2). Anna Steven T64 Para 100m 15.35 (-0.3) (2H2), 15.32 (+0.5) (5).

18 March: Dominic Overend U/17 100m 10.75 (+0.9) PB (NZ U/17 record breaking Dalton Coppins 2012 record of 10.78), final 10.59 (+3.3) (1). Maddison Wesche SP 15.75m (1). Phoebe McKnight 1500m 4:48.68 (9). Sam Diggelmann 200m 22.47 (+0.8) (5H1). Nick Smith 200m 22.40 (+0.7) PB (4H2). Rowan Blaikie 200m 23.15 (+0.8) (4H3). Briana Stephenson 200m 25.21 (+1.2) (5H2). Leah Belfield 200m 25.21 (+0.3) (4H3). Hamish Mears 5kg SP 14.82m (5). Anton Schroder JT 52.71m (10). Imogen Skelton HJ 1.70m (7).

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand