<30.11.07> - PRIMARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD EXCHANGE – Day 1 Competition Wrap

---

03 Dec 2007

Media Release

 

Friday, 30 November 2007

  

PRIMARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD EXCHANGE – Day 1 Competition Wrap

The 2007 School Sport Australia Track & Field Exchange got off to a scorching start today in Launceston.

Australia’s premier 10, 11 and 12 year olds were officially welcomed by Athletics Tasmania and the Minster for Community Development, Michelle O’Byrne MHA.  During the opening of the annual event, students and spectators were entertained by the Esk Band and the Kim Roe School of Dance.

Once formalities were finalised, the gun sounded and events began.  The powerhouse states of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria were regular placegetters due to the sheer size of their team.

Much pre-event hype surrounded 11 year old Queenslander, Amber Rowlandson.  After bettering the Queensland 200m state record previously held by Cathy Freeman a month ago at their state championships, the youngster not surprisingly took out the final today.  After cruising to victory in her heat, she stormed up the straight to edge clear of all fellow students to win in 26.55sec – faster than her run a month earlier at home.

Meet records were set in a plethora of events on day 1 of competition, including;

      Lemi Paletina (Queensland), 11 year old girls Shot Put (2kg) – 16.20m (previous record, 13.96m)

      Filoi (New South Wales), 12 year old Discus (750gr) – 42.74m (previous record, 42.40m)

      Latham Takau (Queensland), 12 year Shot Put (3kg) – 16.50m (previous record, 16.29m).

Tasmania sneaked into the medal tally towards the end of the day in the 12 year boys 4 x 100m.  Matthew Cornwell joined with three athletes from the Northern Territory in a composite relay to take out bronze medal. 

Lachlan Weller and Georgia Parry, both in 11 year old age group are in solid positions at the halfway stage of the multi event.  Weller from Burnie is placed second overall going into tomorrow’s competition.  Parry will be looking to her favoured events tomorrow including the 800m and Shot Put which will be the big point scoring events as she attempts to stand on top of the podium tomorrow afternoon.

The Tasmanian Team performed gallantly with many making finals and setting new personal bests.

 

Competition begins tomorrow at the St Leonards Athletics Centre at 9:30am – 2.45pm.  This is followed by the Tasmanian Club Championships beginning at 4pm, in what is set to be one of the biggest days of Track & Field Competition ever seen in Launceston!

 

For media contacts throughout the event, please contact;

 

Brian Roe                                                    0438 604571

Richard Welsh                                            0409 820248

 

End of release