Athletics NZ weekly roundup 29 January

HASTINGS

Potts Classic, including New Zealand U/20 3000m championships, Hawkes Bay Regional Sports Park - 27 January 2018

Eliza McCartney was in exquisite form in the womens pole vault Commonwealth Games trial, clearing 4.70m off a short ten-step run-up.

Vaulting with ease off the shortened approach used in the very early stages of her build-ups, and in her first competitive outing since the World Championships in August, the Rio Olympic bronze medallist then had the bar raised to 4.83 which would have been a new national record and Oceania record. Two of her three attempts were very close which would have been an astonishing performance off a very short run-up.

The result has given the 21 year old the confidence to have a crack at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham in five weeks, ahead of her first Commonwealth Games in early April.

The victory was all the more meritorious given that McCartney broke a pole in her warm-up, enough to give most seasoned vaulters a case of the yips, but the Olympic medallist took it in her stride, revealing later that it was the first time in her career that she had snapped a pole.

McCartney said she was delighted with her first competitive outing of the season.

"It must be one of my best season openers, it is equal highest season opener. I couldnt have asked for better," she said.

"After 4.70m theres not much point in going to anything other than the 4.83m. I was really happy that I could get some really good attempts at it and actually look at the bar and get my hips over. I had my hips over the bar but I was just that little bit off. Its going to take a bit more of a push and hopefully when I get back to my longer run ups that should be in sight," she added.

Olivia McTaggart cleared 4.30m for second ahead of Liz Parnov from Australia on 4.15m.

World Champion shot putter Tom Walsh was also in polished form, pushing the 7.26kg iron ball out to 21.14m for some early season success to confirm his unquestioned position in the Games team. The Canterbury builder won over his young training partners Ryan Ballantyne on 16.97m and Nick Palmer on 16.33m, both having already qualified for the world junior championships with the 6.00kg implement.

Walsh will also be in action with McCartney at the World Indoor Championships, trying to retain his world title ahead of his Commonwealth Games campaign.

Walsh was reasonably happy with his first throw of the season.

"I thought I was going to throw a little bit further, but again Its first up comp pretty much, so it could have gone a lot worse for sure. I know exactly where were going wrong and its generally what I do early on which is over rotate, but its good early season thats for sure," said Walsh.

Next up for Walsh is Porritt Classic, and then the world indoors in Birmingham UK and then back to New Zealand for the national championships. Another three or four comps in New Zealand and then to the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games.

Nicole Bradley had a great competition in the womens hammer, heaving a best of 66.07m (x, 59.57, 66.07, 62.61, 65.36, x) to improve her personal best by 1.50m, falling just 1.43m short of the Commonwealth Games B nomination target. Lauren Bruce finished in second, also securing a personal best distance with 62.42m, ahead of Ella Pilkington 52.36m.

Bradley was ambivalent over the result.

"Its kind of bitter sweet, I threw a two metre PB and Im still a metre off Comm Games B. But four metres in one season Im very very proud and very happy with my team. I got there through that daily grind, I work full time (as a Radiographer). Mike Schofield coaches me, for about two years now, and he is a big part of the reason why Im here today," said Bradley.

On the track, the feature race on the programme, the Sylvia Potts 800m for women went to Katherine Camp from Te Awamutu after she ran a strong second lap to win in a quality 2:05.81, over four seconds ahead of Lucy Jacobs and Ellen Schaef. Camp was outside the 2:01.20 Commonwealth Games nomination standard but looked very accomplished in the absence of Angie Petty, who has won the Sylvia Potts race for the last eight years.

Camp was delighted to finally get her name on the memorial cup.

"Got my name on the cup finally, Im pretty excited as Ive been trying for the past three or four years. I felt really good, things havent been going as well as I hoped so to get a good run like that today is a real confidence booster for me. Im looking forward to the nationals on the home track," said Camp.

James Prestons 1:52.48 was enough to beat 17 year old Samuel Tanners 1:53.21 in the mens 800m with Tom Moulai finishing well for third place in 1:53.93.

Scott Walker took out the mens 100m in 10.84 (+1.5), the same time as Zac Topping in second with William Smart in third place.

Zoe Hobbs was the victor in the 100m Games trial for women with 11.72 (+1.8), ahead of Abby Goldie on 11.84 and Symone Tafunai in a personal best 11.95.

Josh Ledger (48.75) and Alex Haye (48.94) had a good battle in the mens 400m while Portia Bing ran an excellent 53.86 to take out he womens race.

The New Zealand under 20 mens 3000m title went to Isaiah Priddey from Hamilton who was forced to work very hard to hold off a determined Theo Quax while early leader Mitchell Small finished in third.

"Im happy with the shape Im in after a little break during the New Year after the national secondary schools. In August Im off to the States, I signed late last year with Oklahoma State University," said Priddey.

The under 20 womens 3000m title went to Hannah OConnor, making it three consecutive titles over the distance. The Taranaki teenager finished in 9:44.70, six seconds ahead of Phoebe McKnight with a big gap back to Tessa Webb.

Tobias Scherbath from Germany cleared 5.65m to win the mens pole vault ahead of an ecstatic Declan Carruthers from Australia getting a personal best 5.55m. Kiwis James Steyn and Jack Henry cleared 4.65m while New Zealand champion Nick Southgate failed at his opening height of 5.00m having also broken a pole in his warm-up, like his training partner McCartney.

Torie Owers, in her first major competition in New Zealand after relocating from the USA, won the shot put for women, tossing 16.97m for her second best ever outside performance. The 23 year old who qualifies to throw for New Zealand through a Kiwi father fell just 0.23m short of the Games B standard. Maddison Wesche threw an impressive 16.37m personal best in second.

Long jump winners were Kelsey Berryman in the womens contest with 6.29m (+1.6) and Thomas Rawstron in the mens competition with a best leap of 7.28m (+2.9) from Jordan Peters 7.13m (+0.9).

The New Zealand athletics team for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be announced on Friday 2 February.

Pole Vault Clinic, Hawkes Bay Regional Sports Park, 25 January: Imogen Ayris (17), PV 4.10m, under the performance standard of 4.05m for the world junior championships. Hannah Adye PV 3.20m. James Steyn PV 4.80m.

WANGANUI

Cooks Classic, Cooks Gardens - 23 January 2018

Isaiah Priddey broke the New Zealand under 18 record in winning the New Zealand Commonwealth Games 1500m trial race. The seventeen year old Hamilton athlete ran 3:44.34 to cut 1.76s off the record held by Southlander Eddie Crowe. Crowes time of 3:46.10 was set in London in July 1990, before Crowe went on to the World Junior Championships in Bulgaria where he finished eleventh in 3:46.27. Theunis Pieters provided the early pace for race favourite Simon Rogers who went to the front with 500m to run and looked like he had it won, but the young Priddey chased hard and burst past Rogers at the start of the home straight. Rogers recorded 3:44.75 for second, just outside his personal best.

Priddey, the national under 18 3000m champion and runner up in the 1500m ran a personal best by almost 5 seconds and went well under the 3:48.00 standard for selection for the World Junior Championships in Finland in July. Nick Moulai (17) in third place also went under the standard with 3:47.05. NZ championships bronze medallist Peter Wheeler filled fourth in 3:48.20, a big personal best, just ahead of another 17 year old Samuel Tanner 3:50.77, with national Under 20 champion Theo Quax, just turned 18, sixth in 3:50.99.

There was a close finish to the womens 100m hurdles Games trial Fiona Morrison just held off Rochelle Coster 13.42 (+3.1) to 13.51.

Zac Topping won the mens 100m winning in 10.89 (+1.9), from Cody Wilson 10.98 while Lucy Sheat recovered from a slow start to take the womens 100m in 11.88 (+2.5) and then the 200m in 23.99 (+1.0).

Josh Ledger won the 400m in 48.25 PB from Jacob Matson 48.33 PB.

Hamish Kerr was a clear winner in the mens high jump Games trial, clearing 2.14m on his first attempt and following it with three good attempts at 2.18m. Max Attwell cleared 2.01m. Keeley OHagan and Emma Sutherland were over at 1.73m in the womens high jump. Scott Thomson TJ 14.33m (NWI) and Anna Thomson 12.78m (NWI).

Kelsey Berryman was the victor in the womens long jump Games trial. The national champion getting out to 6.08m (+1.5) ahead of Ashleigh Bennett on 5.71m (+0.9).

The womens javelin Games trial was won by Tori Peeters with 53.44m ahead of Stephanie Wrathalls 51.24m. Ben Langton Burnell took out the mens javelin Games trial, throwing 77.20m ahead of a surprised Brent Newdick, getting his javelin out to 63.80m, his second best ever distance. Newdick, bidding for a fourth Commonwealth Games decathlon spot earlier won the 110m hurdles in 15.09 (+2.1).

Nathan Sulupo 7.26kg SP 15.07m. Nicole Bennett 3kg SP 11.91m PB.

DUNEDIN

Javelin Competition, Caledonian Ground, 28 January: Tori Peeters broke her own New Zealand resident and national javelin throw record adding 16cm to her record set in Dunedin three months ago with her new mark of 57.00m. Series; 53.26, 57.00, 48.87, 56.25, x, x. Holly Robinson F46 threw 36.61m. Anton Schroder 800g JT 57.64m, Felix McDonald 46.67m.

Oceania Master Track and Field Championships, Caledonian Ground - 20/27 January 2018

Further highlights: Records to Liz Wilson W55 60m 8.54 (+1.7), 100m 13.49 (+1.7), 200m 28.16 (-0.7), 400m 65.54. Louise Martin W50 60m 8.58 (+0.9), 100m 13.66 (+1.5), 200m 29.13 (+1.3), 400m 65.65. Andrea Harris W45 400m 67.73. Gail Kirkman W65 400m 71.83 R. Brayden Grant M30 200m 23.03 (+0.9), 400m 50.00. Nick Bolton M45 60m 7.70 (+1.3), 100m 11.90 (+1.8), 200m 25.09 (+1.3), 400m 57.26 (+1.8), 110m H 16.23 (+2.6). Ian Calder M60 61.95. Colin MacLeod M75 400m 79.15. David Anstiss M70 80m H 16.63 (+1.4), HJ 1.36m R. 2000m steeplechase; Lyn Clark W50 9:51.10. Gillian Young W70 10:03.49 R. Derek Shaw M65 9:00.56. Michael Bond M70 9:35.99. Michael Wray 3000m steeplechase 11:21.06. Lyn Osmers W55 HJ 1.27m. Andy Richardson M50 TJ 10.72m (+1.2). Ian Sim M70 TJ 9.07m (+1.4) R.

Ron Johnson M85 TJ 5.34m (+1.9) R, 100m 20.00 (+2.0) R, JT 24.77m R, LJ 2.41m (+2.0), 5000m RW 39:48.11. Bruce Solomon M55 60m 8.04 (+1.8) R, 100m 12.81 (+1.8), 200m 26.18 (+1.8). Trevor Guptill M70 60m 8.79 (+1.40 R, 100m 14.00 (+1.8), 200m 29.33 (+2.1). Louise Martin W50 100m 13.66 (+1.5). 8000m Maggie Chorley W50 34:24, Debbie Telfer W60 38:36, Judith Stewart W65 40:54, Stafford Thompson M35 29:05, Dwight Grieve M40 30:01, Michael Wray M50 30:25, Tony McManus M65 34:46. Tuariki Delamere M65 HJ 1.28m. Jim Blair M85 HJ 1.04m R. Nancy Bowmar W65 LJ 3.21m (-0.7). Alistair Mackay M90 LJ 2.08m )+0.4) R. 5000m RW; Terri Grimmett W60 34:05.73, Jacqueline Wilson W70 32:05.06, Daphe Jones W75 36:41.40 R, Lyndon Hohaia M50 27:41.92, Mike Parker M60 29:29.45.

1500m: Tina Faulkner W35 4:37.66 R, Sally Gibbs W50 4:48.49 R, Myrtle Rough W75 7:37.46 R, Dwight Grieve M40 4:23.96, Ian Calder M60 4:56.50, Tony McManus M65 5:05.66, Michael Bond M70 6:11.24. Stewart Foster 80 200m H 51.32 (-0.8) R. Gail Kirkman W65 300m H 56.94 R. Alison Newall W55 PV 1.90m. Mark Lett M55 PV 3.05m R. 3000m RW: Jacqueline Wilson 18:27.80 R, Daphne Jones W75 21:16.04 R, Mike Parker M60 17:01.37, Clive McGovern M65 17:34.77. Stafford Thompson M35 half marathon 1:17:39. Sally Gibbs W50 half marathon 1:23:02.

AUCKLAND

14-U/18 Interprovincial Contest, Massey Park, Papakura - 27 January 2018

Under 16 team result: 1 Auckland, 2 Counties Manukau, 3 Waikato Bay of Plenty, 4 Wellington, 5 Taranaki, 6 Northland. Under 18 team result: 1 Auckland, 2 Counties Manukau, 3 Waikato Bay of Plenty, 4 Taranaki, 5 Wellington, 6 Northland.

Rowan Blaikie U/18 100m 11.66 (-1.8), 200m 23.29 (+0.1), 400m 52.75. Jayden Williamson U/16 HJ 1.93m. Charles Annals U/16 LJ 6.01m (+0.9), 100m H 13.84 (+0.3). Nikolas Kini 1.25kg DT 53.22m. Mellata Tatola U/18 3kg SP 13.21m. Samadiana Fariz U/16 HJ 1.54m, 300m H 45.75. Katie-Lee Roper U/18 HJ 1.57m. Tatiana Kau,oana U/18 DT 44.56m. Zion Trigger-Feitele U/16 5kg SP 15.18m. Anthony Barmes U/18 700g JT 51.17m, 5kg HT 56.21m. Lisa Putt U/18 LJ 5.43m (-1.5), TJ 11.15m (+1.3). Kayla Goodwin U/18 LJ 5.32m (-0.3), TJ 11.10m (+0.2), 100m H 14.50 (-0.1). Faith Araba U/16 TJ 11.20m (+1.4). Jayden Webb-Milne U/16 TJ 11.44m (0.0). George Carr-Smith U/18 TJ 11.59m (-0.6). Charlotte Holland U/16 LJ 5.11m (0.0), 400m 59.15. Alana Ryan U/18 3kg HT 49.70m. James Robertson U/16 400m 52.32, 800m 2:06.82. Isabella Richards U/16 1500m 4:50.27, 800m 2:22.99. Kimberley May U/16 1500m 4:53.07, 800m 2:22.72. James Harding U/16 1500m 4:29.17, 800m 2:08.80. Stuart Hofmeyr U/18 1500m 4:26.93, 800m 2:09.94. Alessandra Macdonald U/18 300m H 44.81. Daniel Parkes U/18 300m H 39.55. Jacob Stockwell U/16 100m 11.21 (-2.0), 200m 22.96 (+0.3). Matthew Aucamp U/18 110m H 14.94 (-1.1). Hinewai Knowles U/16 80m H 11.98 (0.0), 100m 12.58 (-2.6).

Auckland City Athletics meeting, Mt Smart Stadium, 24 January 2018: Siositina Hakeai DT 58.24m, Te Rina Keenan 50.70m. TJ Paea 60m 6.9 h, 100m 10.8 h. Jono Jackson 5000m 15:20 h.

CHRISTCHURCH

Athletics Canterbury Meeting, Rawhiti Domain - 27 January 2018

Jesse Bryant 100m 11.53 (-0.3), LJ 7.04m (+0.3). Daniel Trenberth 400m 52.56. Ryan Sangster HJ 1.90m. Sam Harris PV 4.04m, Joshua Bull 3.04m. Hillary Harper 100m 12.65 (+0.6). Pavinee Watson LJ 5.23m (-0.2). Caitlin Bonne 600g JT 40.33m. Kate Davies HJ 1.65m. Lexi Richards PV 3.04m. Jaidyn Busch 3kg SP 14.73m. Haidee Middlewood 3kg HT 46.51m.

Para-Athlete; Rory McSweeney 800g JT 47.50m, William Stedman 400m 57.94.

USA INDOORS

URI Sorlien Memorial, Kingston, 18 January: Marcus Karamanolis mile 4:18.29 PB (1).

BU Multi Team Meeting, Boston, 18 January: Jessica Martin mile 5:12.83 (10).

Dartmouth v Colombia, Hanover, 18 January: Arianna Lord 800m 2:18.44 (6).

WSU Open, Pullman, 19 January: Greer Alsop TJ 11.98m (3).

Red Raider Invitational, Lubbock, 19 January: Atipa Mabonga LJ 5.40m (12).

Martin Luther King JR, Albuquerque, 19 January: Susannah Lynch mile 4:53.76 (4).

Central Missouri Invite, Warrensburg, 19 January: Christopher Goodwin LJ 7.31m PB (1).

Stamford Open, Birmingham, 19 January: Christian Conder 3000m 8:49.50 (6).

Stamford Invitational, Birmingham, 19 January: Luke Fielding 3000m 8:47.42 (8). 20 January: Christian Conder mile 4:21.14 (7).

Penn 8, Staten Island, 20 January: Cameron Avery 3000m 8:29.64 (9). Holly Manning mile 4:54.24 (4).

Vanderbilt Invitational, Nashville, 20 January: Katherine Badham mile 5:09.75 (7R4). Hannah Miller 3000m 9:26.62 PB (5R1). Anneke Grogan 3000m 10:29.38 (14R2).

Simmons-Harvey Quad, Ann Arbor, 20 January: Hamish Carson mile 4:01.89 (2).

Mark Colligan Memorial, Lincoln, 20 January: Jordan Rackham De Spong mile 4:15.40 (4).

Larry Wieczorek Invitational, Iowa City, 20 January: Phoebe Edwards LJ 5.59m (9).

Texas A & M Quad, College Station, 20 January: Alison Andrews-Paul 800m 2:08.44 (2).

McNesse State College, Lake Charles, 26 January: Imogen Hull mile 5:18.69 (4).

Jayhawk Classic, Lawrence, 26 January: Bailey Stewart 400m 48.44 (3).

Dr Sander Invitational, New York, 26 January: Cameron Avery 5000m 14:29.53 PB (3R2). Holly Manning 1000m 2:50.44 PB (1). 27 January: Julian Oakley mile 3:57.45 (2).

Houston Invitational, Houston, 26 January: Hannah Miller mile 4:54.47 (2). Anneke Grogan mile 5:10.40 (9). 27 January: Grogan 3000m 10:10.98 (4).

BU John Thomas Terrier Classic, Boston, 27 January: Hamish Carson mile 3:57.76 (5). Jared Lautenslager 3000m 8:32.28 PB (11R5). 26 January: Jessica Martin 3000m 10:19.25 (9R4).

UW Invitational, Seattle, 27 January: Joshua Brown 800m 1:58.43 (8R4). Matt Baxter mile 4:02.20 PB (8R6). Jeff Lautenslager 3000m 8:09.70 PB (3R3). Chris Brake TJ 13.50m (14), HJ 1.90m (16). 26 January: Grace McConnochie 3000m 9:35.34 PB (1R3).

Power River Dual, Gillette, 27 January: Harry Ewing mile 4:18.40 PB (3). Daniel Hintz 3000m 9:00.58 (5).

Liberty Kick Off, Lynchburg, 27 January: Conal Wilson mile 4:21.70 (9R2).

Texas Tech Classic, Lubbock, 27 January: Mike Lowe 3000m 8:44.17 (8). Susannah Lynch 3000m 9:40.69 PB (2).

CM Mule Relays, Warrensburg, 27 January: Christopher Goodwin HJ 1.88m (4).

New Mexico Team Invitational, Albuquerque, 27 January: Ben Collerton LJ 7.03m PB (4). Greer Alsop TJ 12.21m (2).

Razorback Invitational, Fayetteville, 27 January: Caitlin McQuilkin-Bell mile 4:58.19 (3R2).

Pittsburg State Invitational, Pittsburg, 27 January: Charlotte Blair mile 5:27.69 (10R3).

HYP, Cambridge, 28 January: Arianna Lord 800m 2:17.95 (4).

AUSTRALIA

VMC, Melbourne, 18 January: Katrina Anderson 800m 2:05.23 PB (3), Ellen Schaef 800m 2:08.81 (7).

Hunter Classic, Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale NSW, 20 January: Katrina Robinson 5000m 16:07.50 (4). Just outside her New Zealand under 19 record of 16:06.01.

WA Championships, Perth, 20 January: Nick Southgate PV 5.30m (6).

Summer Down Under, Canberra, 21 January: Brad Mathas 800m 1:49.02 (4).

Athletics ACT Track and Field Championships, Canberra, 26/27 January: Cameron French 400m H 49.33 PB (1) (NZ National record and under A performance standard of 49.35 for the Commonwealth Games). Mackenzie Keenan 400m H 59.54 (5). Anna Percy 400m H 60.95 (8). Brad Mathas 800m 1:46.44 PB (3) under B performance standard of 1:46.50 for the Commonwealth Games). Quentin Rew 5000m RW 21:13.73 (2). Joseph Millar 100m 10.38 (+0.3) (4), 10.72 (0.0) (1S3), 200m 20.71 (-0.1) (1), 21.10 (+1.1) (2S1). Olivia Eaton 100m 11.78 (+2.7) (2S1), 11.88 (+0.4) (5), 200m 23.80 (+0.7) PB (6), 23.81 (+2.6) (2S3). Katrina Anderson 800m 2:06.51 (6). Fiona Morrison 100m H 13.67 (-1.2) (5).

SOUTH AFRICA

Goudveld HS Meet, Welkom, 26 January: Mine De Klerk 3kg SP 15.55m (1), 1kg DT 41.48m PB (1), 500g JT 39.83m (1).

Sasolburg Invitational, Sasolburg, 27 January: Mine De Klerk 3kg SP 15.95m PB (1), 1kg DT 38.86m (1), 500g JT 42.54m (1).

OBITUARY

Prominent Taranaki official, coach and administrator Greg Werder died suddenly at work on Wednesday 24 January aged 62.

Greg was a stalwart of Athletics Hawera having been and currently the president for a number of years and a life member together with his wife Gail. Greg has officiated at a number of New Zealand track and field championships as a starter and had been officiating at the Cooks Classic meeting in Wanganui the night before he died. Greg was a strong supporter of junior and senior athletics and was a starter the recent North Island Colgate Games in Auckland. Last year he officiated at the Australian championships in Sydney. He was an Athletics NZ Regional Official Educator.

He was on the committee of the Athletics New Zealand Officials Association, where his input was valued.

On the rugby front he was a former chairman and a life member of the Southern Rugby Club in Hawera.

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