Early Christmas present for Lolo

Day 1 results

Day 1 track report

Revenge is sweet, and a World Junior qualifier is even sweeter. Vika Lolo from New South Wales posted the first World Junior qualifier of the 2007 Telstra Australian All Schools Championships today in Sydney, and in doing so snatched back the shot put crown which eluded her last year.

Competing in the under-18 division, reigning champion Lomana Fagatuai (NSW) looked to have the victory in the bag with a 14.37m throw in the final round, however, Lolo stormed back to clinch the title on the very next throw, with a 14.65m effort.

The 17 year-old, who ventured to the World Youth Championships to compete in the discus, has now decided to switch her focus as a result.

“I’m very happy. It feels good to do a World Junior qualifier. I think I prefer the shot put though. I think I’m better at it when it comes to big competitions,” explained the South Sydney athlete.

The towering Matt Stopel from Queensland conquered in what some may call an upset this afternoon in the under-18 discus, the captain of the Queensland team leading by example to defeat the highly fancied Jamal Idris (NSW – 57.67m) and Hamish Peacock (TAS – 55.19m).

Throwing a huge personal best of 59.01m, the likeable character was delighted with his win.

“I’m pretty stoked. I was throwing well in training and knew I was capable of throwing a big PB today,” a pumped up Stopel told Athletics Australia Media.

“(The win) wasn’t in the bag, Hamish still had one last throw and I know Hamish can pull a big one out.  Defeating Jamal was a big achievement given he made the final at the World Youth Champs.”

As for a World Junior qualifier, the 17 year-old believes it is just around the corner.

With a gold medal haul of four at the 2006 edition of All Schools, Victorian Kimberley Mulhall continued her dominance in the throws today, opening her account with a victory (13.97m) in the under-17 shot put.

Niece of 1984 Olympic bronze medallist Gael Martin, Mulhall, who finished fourth at the IAAF World Youth Championships, will contest her more favoured event, the discus, on Saturday. 

Same result but not an easy ride. Cruising through 3.15m, 3.30m and 3.40m, pole vaulter Liz Parnov hit the ceiling at 3.50 metres in the under-15 event, three unsuccessful attempts preventing the West Australian from reaching the 3.64m height she soared to last year.

The talented West Australian, who is the younger sister of World Youth champion Vicky Parnov, secured back-to-back wins on countback from Victoria’s Alexandra Pocklington.

In repeat placings from last year, Tasmanian Huw Peacock once again tasted success with a 59.80m throw on his fifth attempt in the under-16 boys hammer, from Queensland’s Josh Sugden (52.88m) and Santino Taylor (51.17m).

Queensland’s Keshia McGrath-Volau produced a new under-14 discus meet record of 44.02m, the ecstatic teenager thrilled to have improved on Vika Lolo’s previous mark of 41.07m set in 2003.

Launching the hammer 34.52 metres, Vivian Wilton, from Campbelltown Athletics Club in NSW, bettered her personal best distance by nearly three metres in the under-15 division. The tuba-playing Robert Johnston from Cairns also improved on his personal best, posting 47.54m to claim victory in the same age group.

In other results, Samantha Mills (SA) took out the under-16 pole vault with a clearance of 3.00m, Melissa Prior (NSW) was triumphant in the under-16 hammer throw with 43.50m, Demii Maher-Smith (QLD) claimed gold in the under-14 triple jump, launching herself 11.80m and Matthew Haynes (VIC) picked up a win in the under-14 triple jump with 12.56m. 

Other winners today included:

Brodie Cross (VIC) - under-15 boys pole vault (3.70m)
Timothy Papas (VIC) - under-16 boys pole vault (3.80m)
Elliot Lang (NSW) - under-14 boys discus throw (49.88m)
Len Pearce (NSW) - under-17 boys long jump (6.89m)
Henry Frayne (VIC) - under-18 boys long jump (7.28m)
Ainsley Ackerman (QLD) - under-17 girls high jump (1.72m)
Trudy Thompson (NSW) - under-18 girls high jump (1.74m)
Julian Wruck (QLD) - under-17 boys discus throw (58.40m)

The next generation of Australian field event stars are on show, with selectors keenly observing the day’s action as they deliberate selections for July’s IAAF World Junior Championships in Poland.

The enthralling contests continue in the field events tomorrow, with Jamal Idris (NSW) taking on World Youth silver medallist Hamish Peacock (TAS) and fellow finalist Luke Bissett (VIC) in the under 18 boys javelin final (2pm), Henry Frayne and Josh Lumley battling it out for bragging rights and a World Junior qualifier in the under-18 triple jump (11:15am) and Katie Cox, Jacinta Doyle and Tahnee Reynolds-Hopkins vying for gold in the under-18 long jump.

The 2007 Australian All Schools & Youth Championships continue until Sunday (December 9) at Sydney Olympic Park.