Both the Victorian and Western Australian State Track and Field Championships were held over the weekend, with athletes switching their focus from the clock to their competitors in pursuit of prestigious state titles.
Weekend one of Victoria’s Championships witnessed a number of strong performances and set the tone for what’s to come on weekend two.
Hana Basic (John Nicolosi) stole the show in the Women’s 100m event, clocking a lightning quick 11.37 (-0.2) to tear away from the field and secure an emphatic victory. Basic’s scorching form this season has rightfully established herself as the woman to beat in what is a strong lineup of Australian sprinters.
Dhruv Rodrigues Chico (Tom Morehouse) continued his strong progression and rise to prominence in the 100m, charging away from the field in a time of 10.45 (-0.0). The performance comes as a narrow personal best for Rodrigues Chico and leaves room for further improvement with a tailwind and fierce competition.
Australian record holder Damien Birkinhead (Scott Martin) has set the standard for Australian shot put for the best part of a decade, making it no surprise that he took home another state title over the weekend with a performance of 20.48m. Birkinhead is set to be challenged by the emerging talent of Alexander Kolesnikoff who possesses a season’s best of 19.51m.
Olympian Joel Baden (Sandro Bisetto) lept into strong form in the high jump, clearing 2.21m on his second attempt before missing 2.24m by the smallest of margins. It’s Baden’s second best jump of the season after clearing 2.22m earlier this month.
Fresh of signing with the University of Wisconsin, 19-year-old Adam Spencer (Tim O’Shaughnessy) proved far too strong for the classy lineup assembled in the Men’s Open 1500m. Spencer shaved almost four seconds off his personal best – lowering it from 3:45.26 to 3:41.67.
The smooth mover made a decisive move down the back straight of the bell lap on his way to victory, with Jaryd Clifford (Philo Saunders) finishing in second place in a time of 3:44.52 and Matthew Hussey (Peter Burke) in third with a personal best of 3:44.98.
The Open Women’s 1500m was a tactical affair which benefited none more than Abbey Caldwell (Gavin Burren) whose trademark closing speed was on display at Lakeside Stadium. Caldwell met the bell with an injection of pace en route to a 59 second final lap, with the 19-year-old piecing together a formidable season to date which now features her maiden Victorian Open Title.
Ross Hyne (Dan Martin) edged his way into the lead in the home straight of Open Men’s 400m – an event that boasted some genuine depth. Hyne stopped the clock in a time of 47.31 to clinch the win ahead of Will Johns (Peter Fitzgerald) in 47.50 and Kevin Rassool (Leana Joyce) in 47.53. The final came after both preliminary and semi-final rounds, making the times in the final all the more impressive.
Tayleb Willis (Peter Benifer) ran his second personal best in the space of a week – clocking another world junior qualifier of 13.69 in the Men’s U20 110m Hurdles into a stiff headwind (-2.5). The time moves Willis to fifth of the Australian U20 all time rankings, and it’s a position he should only improve on if conditions play into his favour throughout the season.
Western Australia’s championships took place over three days, with largely local talent on display on the track and in the field.
Nina Kennedy (Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) managed to clear 4.70m and secure her fourth Olympic qualifier, making a habit of the feat and proving to be a model of consistency this season. Kennedy failed to clear 4.82m but improvement seems imminent for the 23-year-old who is knocking on the door of a major breakthrough.
Kurtis Marschall (Paul Burgess and James Fitzpatrick) matched the achievement in the Men’s Pole Vault, clearing 5.80m which meets the Olympic standard. The season to date has witnessed Marschall’s capacity to perform consistently at a high level, and regular competition has the 23-year-old primed for a strong year ahead.
Qualifiers were also acquired on the track by Robyn Lambird (Blanche Herbert) and Ella Pardy (Danny Kevan), who locked away Paralympic B Qualifiers in their respective T34 and T38 categories for the 100m – clocking 19.21 and 13.33.
Taylah Cruttenden continued her rampant season when sprinting her way to a classy double in the U20 ranks – winning the 100m in a world junior qualifier of 11.65 (+1.0) and the 200m in a time of 24.15 (+1.7). The 17-year-old looms as one of the nation’s most exciting young prospects in the sport.
Kiara Speechley completed a rare triple in a clinical display across three days- taking out the 100m with a 12.23 (+1.5), along with the 200m in 24.72 (+0.2) and 400m in 56.56. The 20-year-old’s versatility across a range of events is an asset that makes her a dangerous prospect.
In the Open Men’s 100m it was Aaron Bresland who stormed down the straight in a time of 10.47 (+1.7) to cement his title as WA’s fastest man, whilst Adam Kopp ran a solid 47.83 on his way to victory in the Open Men’s 400m.
Meanwhile overseas Adam Fogg made it back to back sub four minute miles on his return to America for Drake University, running a swift 3:59.81 indoors in South Dakota. Fogg is one of Australia’s finest young talents in the middle distance stocks, with the Queenslander certainly one to watch in the coming years.
By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 22/2/2021
