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Australia V America in Perth
The second leg of the Qantas Australian Athletics Tour will see Australia do battle with America, as athletes from across the country get set to face-off with a dozen emblazoned with the Stars and Stripes at the Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic.
The first meet of an exciting four-year partnership between Athletics Australia and the Western Australian Government, it will also see Sally Pearson (Qld, 100m, 100mH) hurdle for the first time this year against touring up and comer Nia Ali (USA, 100mH).
Joining Ali on the trip Down Under are Greg Nixon (400m), Keshia Baker (400m), Christine Spence (400mH), Justin Gaymon (400mH), LaBronze Garrett (400mH), Sara Ackmann (discus), Stephanie Brown-Trafton (discus), Aretha Thurmond (discus), Russ Winger (discus), Kara Patterson (javelin) and Mark Hollis (pole vault).
Nixon in the men’s 400m will be joined on the start line by Australian Flame Sean Wroe (Vic), Ben Offereins (WA), Steve Solomon (NSW) and John Steffensen (WA). Solomon and Steffensen are both competing for the first time on the Qantas Australian Athletics Tour, as all four chase the Athletics Australia standard for the Olympic Games of 45.30.
In the hurdles, Spence joins Lauren Boden (ACT) in the women’s event, while Brendan Cole (ACT) will look to improve on his current season best of 50.41 against Garrett and Gaymon.
The 2009 world champion Dani Samuels (NSW) headlines the green and gold charge in the women’s discus, while Winger, who is also a shot-putter, will have Commonwealth champion and Australian record holder Benn Harradine (Vic) hot on his heels for men’s glory after the Colorado-native won at the Hunter and Adelaide Track Classics.
In other highlights:
- Australian Flame 4x100m relay teammates Melissa Breen (ACT), Charlotte Van Veenendaal (Vic) and Hayley Butler (NSW) will blaze the straight in the women’s 100m and 200m against Toea Wisil of Papua New Guinea.
- Kelly Hetherington (Vic) will lead out in the women’s 800m after a strong victory at the Adelaide Track Classic in 2:02.46 ahead of fellow starter and 17-time national champion Tamsyn Manou (Vic)
- Alana Boyd (WA) will take to the runway in the women’s pole vault fresh off a 4.61m personal best just two weeks ago alongside training partners Liz Parnov (WA) and Vicky Parnov (WA).
- Commonwealth and world indoor champion Fabrice Lapierre (NSW) will begin his domestic campaign in the men’s long jump.
The Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic will be held at the Western Australia Athletic Stadium this Saturday, February 11 from 6:30pm. For more information, please click here.
The Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic will also be streamed live from 10:00pm AEDST. To watch, click here.
Highlights from the meet will be televised by the Nine Network at 1:00pm AEDST on Sunday, February 12. Please check your local guides.
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