Athletics NZ weekly roundup

AUCKLAND

Auckland Track Challenge, AUT Millennium Stadium - 26 February 2017

Eliza McCartney soared to new heights in front of an enthusiastic crowd pole vaulting over the bar at 4.82m, two centimetres above her historic bronze medal achievement at the Rio Olympic Games and the national title in Dunedin last March. McCartney also established a fresh Oceania, Commonwealth, New Zealand allcomers, resident and national records all in one go in the Harcourts Cooper & Co womens pole vault at the Auckland Track Challenge on Sunday.

McCartney said that she felt really good going into the event.

"From the second I started warming up, my run up moved back heaps which meant my speed was really good. We moved back a lot today, more than its ever moved before so it was really fast today," she said.

The 20 year old entered the competition at 4.40m, took two attempts to clear 4.55m, was over at 4.70m first up and achieved 4.82m on her second attempt. The bar was then raised to 4.90m but with the euphoria of the previous clearance, scaling the next challenge was that more difficult.

"I would have given 4.90m a much better crack if I hadnt had all of that emotion and competition before hand, my legs were quite jelly and shaky by the end of it so it becomes much harder to control the run up and take off."

The Oceania record was 4.81m set by Alana Boyd of Australia in July 2016. Hence the attempt at 4.82m.

"We had been thinking about the heights a couple of days ago and 4.90m would be the next big one to go for after 4.82m, so we didnt muck around we went straight to it.

"Id love to get some more attempts at 4.90m in the season but If I dont get it now Im not too worried as Ill be off to Europe in our winter so that would be a good chance to give it a good crack over there," she said.

The atmosphere was ideal for the competition and the crowd a big help.

"Having the crowd so close to the track is so cool and they were really getting into it and the MCs were doing a great job helping the crowd out," said McCartney.

Alysha Newman of Canada was second with 4.50m and Morgann Leleux of USA third 4.40m. Olivia McTaggart cleared 4.30m, Imogen Ayris 3.70m and Alana Doust of Australia 3.40m.

Nicholas Southgate won the earlier mens pole vault with 5.20m, from James Steyn 4.80m and Vincent Hobbie of Germany also over at 4.80m.

Records were also the order of the day in the mens shot put with Rio Olympic champion Ryan Crouser following up his victory in Christchurch with a 10cm improvement on his New Zealand allcomers record with 22.15m. His best three throws came in the remaining rounds of the competition with 22.08m, 22.15m and he finished off with another 22.15m for good measure.

Not to be outdone in the record department Tom Walsh bettered his New Zealand resident record of 21.46m in Christchurch with all four of his legal throws over this mark. His best was 21.80m in round four. Trying to eclipse Crouser, Walsh sent out two large bombs in the final rounds only to over balance on release. These were both in the vicinity of the 22 metre mark.

Jacko Gill who has a best of 21.01m recently in Lower Hutt was third with 20.92m. Damien Birkinhead of Australia was fourth with 20.54m, Ryan Whiting secured one legal throw of 19.93m and Ryan Ballantyne had the senior shot out to a PB 16.37m.

Crouser said he is in pretty good shape.

"I kind of surprised myself a little bit last week in Christchurch (22.05m) and we were just trying to match that here and I managed to be really consistent at over what I had thrown. So this is my most consistent meet outside of the Olympics and Its still really early for me, so Im really happy for where Im at," he said.

He said he loved coming to New Zealand and enjoyed the layout for the shot put.

"This was as good as any meet Ive ever done, the crowd really got into it and to have everyone lining the sectors like that and have the crowd right on top it makes it a lot of fun."

Crouser believes a throw of over 23 metres from either him or Tom is possible this year.

"I dont know if anyone in the past has opened the way that the two of us has opened this year so when you have a kind of competition like that and just not one guy trying to move that mark out there it definitely makes it competitive so I think 23 is definitely possible this year and before 2020 Im sure the record will fall."

Walsh also said the current world record (23.12m Randy Barnes 1990) days are numbered.

"Its going this year or the year after, its a matter of time until either he (Ryan) or me or maybe Joe (Kovacs) catch on to one," said Walsh.

The Rio bronze medallist said that he is pleased with his form to date.

"To throw 21.80m already this year and Ive got one more comp in the summer to go is pretty good.I love comps like this the crowd being so close, getting the clap going and getting us all pumped up and throwing far is just amazing to have maybe a thousand people around the shot area and watching us throw bombs, said Walsh.

His next competition is the nationals and then its over to the States for the Diamond League Prefontaine meeting in Eugene Oregon on 27 May.

He was later asked to comment on Ryan Crouser and Walsh responded - have you seen the size of the man.

"Hes six foot seven and 20kgs heavier, but he throws his way which is a little bit more like a glider kind of thing and I throw more my way which is a bit more speed related."

Joseph Millar had an impressive win, in relation to his PB of 20.77, in the 200m clocking 21.17 into a head wind of 2.5mps. Will Smart was second in 22.02 and Zac Topping third in 22.05.

The womens 100m went to Zoe Hobbs in 11.94 (+1.6) and Georgia Hulls speed to a PB 400m of 55.25. Anita McLaren was second in 56.33 and Megan Kikuchi third 56.90.

Cameron French was fully extended in the 400m winning in 47.94 from Quin Hartley and Michael Gutry. Australia dominated the 800m and 5000m, taking the first four placings in both races.

Josh Ralph won the 800m in 1:47.75 and Brett Robinson came agonisingly close to the Australian qualifying time of 13:22.60 for the London world championships in August in winning the 5000m in 13:22.93.

"I just missed it which is annoying, but I ran well," said Robinson.

Sam Petty ran 1:50.88, Sam Bremer a PB of 1:51.46 and Tom Moulai a PB of 1:52.93 in the 800m.

In the 5000m Eric Speakman sliced 33 seconds off his PB heading the New Zealanders in the field into fifth place in 13:55.38. Daniel Balchin was also under his previous best with 13:56.49 and Peter Wheeler ran a PB of 14:48.97. Hamish Carson was eighth in 14:26.96.

Katherine Camp scored her second win over Angie Petty this season in the Sileni Estates womens 800m. After Portia Bing had set the pace for the first 400m, Petty was in the lead getting the bell. Down the back straight Camp moved into a position ready to pounce on the bend and into the straight her strength prevailed to win in 2:02.90, just outside her personal best. Petty finished in 2:03.05 and Heidi See of Australia was third in 2:03.51. Katrina Anderson was fourth in 2:06.05, Australian based Ellen Schaef sixth in 2:06.23 and Esther Keown was seventh in a PB 2:06.63.

Matthew Manning ran a well-judged race to win the annual Sir John Walker junior mile in a PB 4:16.92 beating James Uhlenberg also a PB of 4:17.43 and last years winner in 4:13.59 Isaiah Priddey won ran 4:17.86. Personal bests were posted by the next to finish Nick Moulai 4:18.32, Theo Quax 4:18.43, Angus White 4:20.23 and Christian Conder 4:22.88.

In the Peoples Mile Sasha Daniels was the fastest from the three races in 4:48.55.

Vertical Pursuit Challenge, Britomart - 22 February 2017

Athletics New Zealand brought the sport to the people in spectacular fashion with an indoor pole vault exhibition in the Atrium on Takutai. Rio Olympic pole vault bronze medalist Eliza McCartney didnt disappoint equalling her New Zealand indoor record of 4.70m set in finishing fifth at the world indoor championships in Portland Oregon a year ago. McCartney cleared 4.30m, 4.50m, 4.60m and 4.70m all on her first attempt. She was unsuccessful at 4.80m which would have equalled her outdoor record set at last years national championships and at Rio.

McCartney was pleased with her performance and the concept.

"To be able to get up near my PB was just awesome," she said. "My PB before now on this run-up was 4.64m, so I've got a PB for this run-up as well. I'm super happy to be back up to the same heights even though I'm on a slightly shorter run-up."

The 20 year old was delighted with the support she received from the crowd jammed into the Atrium.

"It was pretty cool, this is not a well-known sport in particular, and it's really good to see people are really interested in it and they want to come along and watch and learn.

"I have to admit I was very nervous beforehand more nervous than usual, just because it's such a different situation. I just wasn't sure how it was going to play out. But the good thing about these sort of events is you get the adrenalin up and that really helps you run faster and get up on your poles."

Coming close to 4.80m also gave her plenty of encouragement for the rest of the season in New Zealand before departing for competition in Europe leading up to the world championships in London in August.

"I don't want to jinx it but it's really, really exciting to be jumping this high, especially as I've only just opened a couple of weeks ago for the season. I couldn't be happier."

Pan American junior champion in 2011 Morgann Leleux of USA and Alysha Newman of Canada, 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, were second equal both clearing 4.40m and Olivia McTaggart fourth with 4.10m.

Nicholas Southgate was just 5cm short of his pending New Zealand indoor record clearing 5.20m to win the mens pole vault. He had the bar raised to 5.40m and was unsuccessful at this height.

Southgate has a PB of 5.47m and a listed indoor record of 4.60m but went over at 5.25m in an indoor meeting in Lisbon Portugal in May last year.

Vincent Hobbie of Germany was second at the Atrium with 4.90m and James Steyn third at 4.60m.

North Harbour Bays Throwers Meeting, AUT Millennium Stadium - 21 February 2017

Anthony Nobilo had a throw of 55.62m with the 6kg hammer and did a PB of 36.63m with the 1.75kg discus. He also recorded 64.52m with the 5kg hammer. Isaac Vaeau Mulitalo had a PB of 41.73m with the 1.5kg discus. Also in the hammer throw Anthony Barmes 5kg 53.41m, Jayden Williamson 4kg 45.84m and 1kg DT 39.87m. Mellata Tatola 3kg HT 54.20m and DT 39.20m. Savannah Scheen 3kg HT 45.65m. Suluama Vaeau Mulitalo 3kg HT 32.57m PB and DT 30.22m.

Auckland City Athletics Club Night, Mt Smart Stadium - 22 February 2017

Jono Jackson 3000m 8:48.46, Murdoch McIntyre 8:49.82. Grace Wood 3000m 10:33.44 mx. Isabella Richardson 3000m 10:36.31. Ben Moynihan 800m 1:55.98. Tamsin Harvey 100m 12.77 (+0.7), 200m 25.60 (+2.1). Dare Oye 100m 11.28 (+2.3).

North Harbour Bays Throwers Meeting, AUT Millennium Stadium - 25 February 2017

Anthony Nobilo secured four personal bests during the afternoon of competition. In the hammer throw he achieved 50.13m with the 7.26kg, 59.06m with the 6kg, in the discus 45.18m in the 1.5kg and 13.58m with the 5kg shot put. Matthew Bloxham was out to 58.76m in the hammer throw. Alexander Parkinson 54.68m in the senior discus. Isaac Vaeau Mulitalo PB 41.85m in the 5kg HT and 14.37m in the 5kg shot out. Benco Kruger PB 41.03m with the 600g JT. Jayden Williamson PB 4kg HT 47.28m. Portia Bing 12.75m SP. Madeleine Chapman 48.19m 600g JT. Mellata Tatola 46.80m 4kg HT and 52.45m 3kg HT. Savannah Scheen PB 41.17m 4kg HT and PB 47.73m 3kg HT and 31.76m 500g JT.. Tatiana Kaumoana DT 43.33m and 11.73m 3kg SP.

WELLINGTON

Grand Prix Meeting, Newtown Park - 25 February 2017

Max Spencer had a PB 400m 50.84, Liam Webb400m 50.99. Saravee Sos 100m 11.36 (-0.2), 200m 22.43 (+5.0). Jonty Morison 100m 11.45. Sean Pay HJ 1.90m PV 3.10m (debut). Brendon Barnett LJ 6.70m (+3.0), also 6.30m (-0.6). Scott Thomson TJ 14.67m (+0.6). Sean Howe 1.25kg DT 43.28m. Cameron Robinson 700g JT 52.61m. Tessa Hunt 1500m Wellington champs 4:48.73, Phoebe McKnight 4:49.04, Zia Macdermid 4:51.61. Imogen Skelton HJ 1.70m.

NELSON

Athletics Nelson Club Championships - 24 February 2017

Lucy Sheat 100m 12.46 (+1.0), 200m 24.95 (+1.0). Bailey Cotton 100m 11.43 (+1.5), 200m 23.32 (+0.8), U/18 SP 15.39m, DT 44.47m. Joe Ford U/18 DT 44.83m.

TIMARU

Athletics Canterbury Championships, Aorangi Stadium - 25/26 February 2017

Kelsey Berryman 100m 12.22 (-1.2). Gabrielle Grey 5000m 17:23.30, Natalie Dryden 17:23.99, Jean Kozyniak 17:37.38, Angela Whyte 17:54.33. Lauren Bruce SP 11.87m, DT 45.64m, HT 45.07m. Roseanne Robinson 3000m W 14:28.30, 5000m W 24:40.41. Harriet Bush U/20 800m 2:16.78, 1500m 4:43.14. Navajo Prentice U/20 5000m 17:32.01. Summer Rutherford U/20 100m 12.69 (-1.2), 200m 26.31 (+0.4), 100m H 15.28 (+3.8), HJ 1.45m, LJ 5.44m (+5.4). Anna Hayward U/18 100m 12.43 (+1.0), 200m 25.34 (+2.1), 400m 58.71. Lily Trotter U/18 800m 2:15.03, 1500m 4:36.31. Olivia Burnham 300m H 47.32. Tegan Duffy LJ 5.54m (+6.0). Scott Walker 100m 10.76 (+1.4). James Sandilands 200m 22.62 (+0.7), 110m H 14.32 (+5.2). Oska Baynes 5000m 14:30.79, Sean Eustace 5000m 14:56.21. Hayden Hall DT 45.01m, JT 59.99m. Fergus Speirs HT 44.71m. Mitchell Small U/20 5000m 14:50.97. Matt Walsh LJ 6.35m (+0.8), TJ 13.41m (+0.2). Louis Andrews 300m H 40.45. Nic Forster LJ 6.30m (+1.1). Thomas Valentine HT 50.51m. William Valentine DT 41.17m, JT 46.97m.

DUNEDIN

Athletics Otago Championships, Caledonian Ground - 25/26 February 2017

Tori Peeters JT 54.66m, Laura Overton JT 45.54m. Holly Robinson JT 42.68m (NZ Para F46 record). Caitlin Dore JT 22.48m (NZ Para F37 record). Todd Bates HT 53.05m, Mike Scholten HT 41.01m. Nicole Bradley HT 58.97m, Mayce Ballantyne HT 42.98m. Emma Hopcroft LJ 5.32m (+1.5). Atipa Mabonga LJ 5.73m (+4.5). Anna Grimaldi LJ 5.38m (+3.5), also 5.16m (+0.7). Schuyler Orr 100m 11.06 (+4.1), 200m 22.91 (+3.5). Fiona Centers 100m 12.32 (+2.2), 200m 24.94 (+5.2). Felix McDonald 200m 23.09 (+2.5). Liam Turner 800m 1:57.48. Nathan Hill U/18 3000m 8:50.52. Jack Beaumont 3000m 8:38.62, Oli Chignell 8:44.29, Caden Shields 8:48.19. Geoff Anderson (61) 3000m 10:25.97 (Otago masters record). Tara McNally 300m H 46.02. Hamish Mears 1.5kg DT 44.36m. Bryn McLeod-Jones 2kg DT 41.35m. Ethan Walker U/16 JT 48.40m. Luke Cann (Aust) 800g JT 69.82m. Anton Schroder 800g JT 49.63m.

INVERCARGILL

Athletics Southland Championships, Surrey Park - 25/26 February 2017

Dannika Collins (15) had best sprint times of the weekend, winning the 100m in 12.85 (+5.8) and 200m in 26.36 (+2.6). Middle distance crown went to Dylan Forde (17) with his 1500m win by 1 second from Jack McNaughton (16). Dyani Shepherd Oates (WU18) won the hammer with 42.00m, Anna Skerrett impressed with a 12.32m shot put, Javelin NZSS medallists Jessica Senior has added the discus to her repertoire with a 35.25m throw to go with her javelin win (30.92m). Kunal Trehan won senior shot ahead of Jack Welsh 13.24m to 12.35m. Welsh took out the discus (41.80m), hammer (35.43m) and javelin (44.25m). Top jumps performances came from Atipa Mabonga (18) , TJ 11.75m (+3.4), Emma McColl (15) TJ 10.58m (+4.8), Adam Norman (17) LJ 6.27m (+3.0) and Tim Baker (18) 6.16m (+1.6).

AUSTRALIA

Australian Capital Territory Championships, Canberra, 17 February: Michael Cochrane 400m H 51.25 (2). Mackenzie Keenan 400m H 61.46 (5).

South Australian Championships, Adelaide, 17 February: Nneka Okpala TJ 12.55m (0.0) (2).

Sydney Allcomers, SOPAC, 18 February: Veronica Torr 100m H 13.89 (-0.4) (1).

Hobart Run the Bridge 10km, Tasmania, 19 February: Camille Buscomb 33:39 (2) PB, 20th overall. This betters her time of 33:55 in winning the New Zealand road title in Tauranga in September 2015.

Sydney Classic and New South Wales Championships, SOPAC,

24 February: Joshua Hawkins 110m hurdles prelim 14.63 (-1.5) (1h2) Q. (Did not start in final). Veronica Torr 100m hurdles prelim 14.05 (+0.1) (3h1) Q, Fiona Morrison 100m hurdles prelim 13.68 (-0.8) (2h2) Q. Fiona Morrison 100m prelim 12.30 (-1.2) (1h2) Q.

25 February: Warren Button HT 54.04m (4). Mackenzie Keenan 400m hurdles prelim 61.24 (1h2) Q. Anna Percy 400m hurdles prelim 62.25 (2h1) Q. Fiona Morrison 100m hurdles final 13.64 (-1.6) (3). Veronica Torr 100m hurdles final 14.25 (-1.6) (5), LJ 5.78m (+0.5) (2), second to former New Zealander Jessica Penney 6.15m (+0.6). Veronica Torr 200m prelim 25.75 (-2.2) (2h5).

26 February: Mackenzie Keenan 400m hurdles final 59.28 (3), Anna Percy 400m hurdles final 61.20 (6). Fiona Morrison 100m SF 12.48 (-1.6) (2h3) Q. (Did not start in final).

USA INDOORS

Artie OConnor Invitation, The Armory Track and Field Centre, NY, 17 February: Isabella Richards 3000m 10:04.44 (1) PB.

Nebraska Tune-Up, Lincoln, 17 February: Jordan Rackham de Spong mile 4:16.89 (7r3).

Crossroads League, Marian IN, 17 February: Joseph Beamish 3000m 8:42.42 (2rA) PB.

Deneault Memorial, Ithaca NY, 18 February: Amy Shaw 3000m 10:35.99 (5).

Atlantic 10, Fairfax Virginia, 18 February: Tannock Blair 800m heats 1:55.12 (2h2). 19 February: Tannock Blair 800m final 1:57.71 (6).

Conference USA, Birmingham Alabama, 18 February: Mike Lowe 5000m 14:46.15 (8). Matt Prest 5000m 15:19.52 (11). Susannah Lynch mile heats 4:54.09 (1h2) PB. 19 February: Susannah Lynch mile final 4:49.73 (4) PB, 3000m 9:43.91 (5) PB. Mike Lowe 3000m 8:32.76 (11). Matt Prest 3000m 8:53.56 (17).

American Athletic Conference Champs, Birmingham AL, 24 February: Hannah Miller 5000m 16:16.84 PB (2). 25 February: Hannah Miller 3000m 9:29.43 PB (3).

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Champs, Seattle, 25 February: Greer Alsop LJ 5.49m (15), TJ 12.44m (5).

SOUTH AFRICA

HTS Louis Botha Invitation, Bloemfontein, 24 February: Mine De Klerk (13) 3kg SP 14.81m PB, DT 40.15m PB, 500g JT 36.95m.

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