<10.12.06> - 2006 Australian All Schools and Youth Athletics Champs, Sydney - Summary Day Four
10 Dec 2006
MORE GOLD FLOWS
After being narrowly denied victory in both the discus and javelin in which in took the silver medals. Eastern Suburbs thrower, Hamish Peacock reigned supreme in the shot put, his best throw of 18.11 metres giving him a 37cm advantage over his nearest rival.
It has been a good championships for the Hutchins student, who collected a world youth championships qualifying performance in the javelin in addition to his impressive three medal haul.
The State’s other national champion today was Newstead Harriers’ Daniel Boatwright who produced a massive personal best of 59.15 metres to easily win the under 16 javelin. It was the Kings Meadows High student’s first national title, after finishing second in the under 15 event last year.
Three other Tasmanians made the top eight of their events on day four:
Karinna Fyfe U18 1500m (8) 4:39.09
Chris Edwards U18 Shot Put (8) 15.37m
Sophie Manning U14 High Jump (8) 1.58m
AT President Brian Roe said that he and the Association were delighted with the team’s efforts,
“Four national titles is a great achievement for a small state in one of the toughest annual youth championships held in any sport in the country.”
He said that the results demonstrates what can be done by targeting resources into specific areas,
“Our State Performance Manager Peter Fortune has worked hard with the assistance of the Tasmanian Institute of Sport to invest in skill development in the throwing events, in particular.
“The outcome has been significant with three gold medals to different athletes in that event group. The value of bringing coaches like Peter Lawler and Sean Carlin to
Mr Roe also directed praise towards the three athletes and their coaches, Peacock and his younger brother, Huw who are guided by their father, Evan and Boatwright who is mentored by Max O’Toole.
“Each of the athletes has made the commitment to train harder and most importantly to listen to the advice that has been made available. They are all good news stories who each demonstrate what young Tasmanians can achieve if they put their minds to it.
“Our fourth national champion, Daniel Coleman in the 5000 metres walk displays a very high level of application to his event and is already being talked about as an athlete who will be competitive over the Olympic distance of 20km as soon as he moves into senior ranks in three years time.”
Further information: Brian Roe 0438 604 571
Richard Welsh 0409 820248