17.08.2010

Fantastic start for nervous athletics team

Australia’s track and field team has had an outstanding opening session at the Youth Olympic Games, with four of the six athletes in action progressing to 'A' finals of their events.

“That was a fantastic session for us,” Australian coach Matt Beckenham said.

“Michelle Jenneke’s personal best in the 100m hurdles, Nick Hough fastest qualifier (110m hurdles), Liz Parnov having a big final clearance and Brandon Starc (high jump) equalling his best. What more can I say?”

Despite the end result, it didn’t all go totally to script for Australian flag-bearer Parnov.

In hot and sweaty conditions the national champion pole vaulter missed her first two attempts at the starting height of 3.90m and the pressure was really on.

The 16-year-old then re-grouped and easily cleared her final attempt to avoid elimination and a no-height result.

“My dad (Alex) told me before my last jump to remember what I’d done in training, be confident, forget everything else that has happened and treat it like a first attempt,” Parnov, who was bright red from the sweltering Singapore heat, said.

“I did that. I just went for it and now I am so relieved that it’s out of the way.

“I think qualification was always going to be the hardest and now I can relax and focus on the final.”

Jenneke opened proceedings on the track and with a flawless run to knock 0.14 seconds off her previous best time to finish second in heat three in 13.65.

“When I was warming up I felt really good and I thought, ‘I think I’m going to get a PB today,’ and I did,” said Jenneke whose family and friends have travelled from Sydney to watch her compete.

“Making the 'A' final was what I wanted to do. I actually wasn’t feeling nervous at all today, I was just really excited. I’m not sure if you saw me out there but I was beaming.”

Jenneke will line up as third fastest qualifier for Saturday’s final. Russian Ekaterina Bleskina was the stand-out, winning Jenneke’s heat in 13.32.

Fellow Sydney hurdler Nick Hough powered home in his 110m hurdles heat to win in 13.50 seconds and qualify fastest for his final.

Hough was in third place after the first two hurdles but once he found his rhythm, ran away from the field.

“I was so nervous, I’ve never had a race like this before,” Hough said.

“It was great. Once I got over the first couple of hurdles the nerves were gone and I finished well.

“That’s very promising for the final because I’ve been getting some good starts. If I can combine that finish with a good start I should be in for a good time.”

On today’s heats results, Cuban Yordan Luis Ofarril Olivera remains the favourite for gold. He cruised to victory in 13.80 and has a season best of 13.26. Hough’s season best is 13.40.

In his first international competition, high jumper Brandon Starc equalled his personal best of 2.10m. Starting the competition at the opening height of 1.90m, Starc cleared all six attempts with ease. He is one of six athletes to qualify without a miss.

“I’m over the moon and really happy, equal PB and no misses,” Starc said when leaving Bishan Stadium.

"The jumping felt good, my run-up was getting better and hopefully I’m feeling as good or better for the final to jump a big PB.”

Israeli world youth champion Dmitry Kroytor, whose season’s best is 2.24m, missed one attempt at 2.07m.
 
Australian long jumper Demii Maher-Smith performed well on her international debut and in her first competition since March.

Her best jump of 5.67m placed her 11th in qualifying. She will contest the 'B' final on Saturday night, gaining more invaluable experience and trying to get closer to her personal best of 5.90m.

“It’s all learning. I took a lot away from today,” she said.

“This was my first overseas trip and it was so different to what I’ve experienced before with the atmosphere. All the school kids cheering and getting autographs was great and good fun."

Luke Greco fought hard to the line but was disappointed with his 400m heat run. The 17-year-old was not at his best today, finishing fourth in his heat and over a second outside his personal best in 50.82. Greco, as the 16th fastest from today’s heats, will contest the 'B' final on Saturday. Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic scorched the track to win in 46.82.

Competition at the track will continue on Wednesday morning with another six Australians contesting qualifying.

With thanks to Andrew Reid and the AOC