<30.05.07> - Special Kay's selection in Osaka World Championships squad


31 May 2007

Media Release

Wednesday, 30 May 2007

 

Special Kay’s selection in Osaka World Championships squad

 

 

Hauled out of the classroom to represent Australia, Burnie primary school teacher Melissa Kay has been selected in the national 4 x 100m relay squad for the 11th IAAF World Championships to be held from August 25 – September 2 in Osaka, Japan.

Representing the green and gold for the first time, the 29 year-old sprint sensation was an integral part of the Australian relay team that produced a surprise world championships qualifier earlier in the month.  Competing in the World Athletics Tour meet in Osaka, Kay ran the final leg for the Australian team that finished second to the United States. Australia’s time of 43.62 seconds was the fastest by our national team since 2000.  

Setting a new state record of 11.61 seconds in Canberra back in January, Kay’s notable form throughout the domestic season left an impression on Athletics Australia’s selectors.

Also putting her hand up for selection in the women’s 4 x 100m relay squad is three-time Australian sprint champion Sally McLellan (QLD), who will be joined by fellow Commonwealth Games relay bronze medallists Crystal Attenborough (NT) and Melanie Kleeberg (QLD).

The relay squad also includes hurdles specialist Fiona Cullen (QLD), 23 year-old Preya Carey (NSW), who ran the lead leg for the fifth-placed Oceania relay team in the Athens World Cup last year, 26 year-old Amy Harris (QLD) who represented Australia in the relay heats at the 2003 World Championships and West Australian national Under 23 champion Jody Henry.

Both the men’s and women’s 4 x 100 relay squads will be reduced to six members following a relay camp from June 18 - 24.

Also named in the world championships team is world 50km walk record holder Nathan Deakes.

Deakes, who has already been selected to race the 20km event, has been selected in the 50km walk. The world record holder is a strong prospect to medal in this event, and has high expectations after the disappointment of being disqualified over 50km in Edmonton in 2001 and also in Athens in 2004 when he was in a break away with the eventual winner.

The Olympic bronze medallist over 20km and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist is yet to win a world championships medal, finishing 4th over 20km in 2001, and missing the 2003 and 2005 editions due to injury.

Making their race walk debut on the world championships stage will be Victorian’s Chris Erickson and Duane Cousins.

Twenty five-year-old Erickson, the Commonwealth Games 50km bronze medallist, will be endeavouring to better the achievements of his father. Tim Erickson, a renowned race walker who also coaches the young protégé, competed in the 1976 World Walk Championships, finishing in 23rd position in the 50km event. The junior Erickson achieved a new 20km personal best time of 1:24:58 this year in Canberra over the Australia Day weekend.

Joining his VIS counterpart on the flight to Osaka will be two-time national 50km walk champion Duane Cousins. The experienced 33 year-old finished 34th at the Sydney Olympics, and was agonisingly disqualified at the Commonwealth Games last year after being in medal contention.

There are no marathon selections for either the individual event or IAAF World Marathon Cup.

Final additions to the team for in-stadium events can be made up to August 13, 2007.

TELSTRA AUSTRALIAN ATHLETICS SQUAD

11TH IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

OSAKA, JAPAN

25 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER 2007

 

MEN

100m                                       Joshua Ross (NSW)

200m                                       Patrick Johnson (AIS), Joshua Ross (NSW)

400m                                       John Steffensen (WA), Sean Wroe (VIC)

1500m                                     Mark Fountain (VIC)

5000m                                     Craig Mottram (VIC)

3000m Steeplechase          Youcef Abdi (NSW)

Pole Vault                              Paul Burgess (WA), Steven Hooker (WA)

Shot Put                                 Scott Martin (VIC)

Javelin                                   Jarrod Bannister (QLD)

20 km Walk                            Luke Adams (AIS), Nathan Deakes (ACT), Jared Tallent (AIS)

50 km Walk                            Nathan Deakes (AIS), Chris Erickson (VIC), Duane Cousins (VIC)

4 x 100m Relay Squad*       Ambrose Ezenwa (NSW) , Adam Miller (AIS), Adrian Mott (VIC), Joshua Ross (NSW), Aaron Rouge-Serret (VIC), Keith Sheehy (SA), Steven Tucker (VIC), Tim Williams (VIC)

4 x 400m Relay Squad*       Dylan Grant (QLD), Clinton Hill (AIS), Kurt Mulcahy (NSW), Mark Ormrod (AIS), John Steffensen (WA), Chris Troode (WA), Sean Wroe (VIC)

                                               

WOMEN

100m                                       Sally McLellan (QLD)

1500m                                     Lisa Corrigan (ACT), Sarah Jamieson (VIC)

5000m                                     Eloise Wellings (NSW)

10000m                                   Benita Johnson (VIC)

100m H                                   Sally McLellan (QLD)

400m H                                   Jana Rawlinson (NSW)

3000m Steeplechase          Donna MacFarlane (TAS), Victoria Mitchell (VIC)

Pole Vault                              Alana Boyd (QLD), Kym Howe (WA)

Long Jump                            Bronwyn Thompson (QLD)

Discus                                     Dani Samuels (NSW)

Heptathlon                            Kylie Wheeler (WA)

20km Walk                             Jane Saville (NSW)

4 x 100m Relay Squad*       Sally McLellan (QLD), Crystal Attenborough (NT), Melanie Kleeberg (QLD), Fiona Cullen (QLD), Preya Carey (NSW), Amy Harris (QLD), Jody Henry (WA), Melissa Kay (TAS)

* Final team (maximum of six athletes per relay) to be confirmed prior to close of IAAF entries in August.

For further information or to arrange athlete interviews, please contact Athletics Australia Media:

David Culbert – 0417 272 641 or david@jumpmedia.com.au

Michelle Cook – 0430 177 668 or michelle@jumpmedia.com.au