<06.12.07> - Review Of Day One Aust All Schools
08 Dec 2007
Media Release
Thursday 6 December, 2007
Huw Peacock was the star for Tasmania on day one of the 2007 Australian All Schools and Youth Athletics Championships in Sydney today (Thursday).
The Eastern Suburbs athlete retained the title as the best Australian hammer thrower of his age by winning the under 16 championship, repeating the effort that netted him the under 15 title a year ago. Peacock was simply too strong and skilled for the opposition – his best throw of 59.80m well clear of the rest of the field.
Older brother Hamish, also made it onto the podium taking the bronze medal in the under 18 discus throw, heaving the 1.5kg plate out to 55.19m, but with his better events still to come.
The State’s third medal of the first day came from perhaps an unexpected source with 14 year old Newstead Harrier, Ben Gittus, running the race of his short career to date, to pick up the bronze in the under 15 2000m steeplechase.
Gittus, who attends Kings Meadows High School in Launceston, improved nearly 17 seconds on his run in the Tasmanian All Schools in early November, running confidently from the gun and showing the maturity of a much more experienced athlete. In fifth with around 150 metres to go, he unleashed a strong finished burst which gave him a comfortable margin over his rivals for the third spot.
Two other Tassie steeplechasers just missed out on the medals. Another Newstead Harrier, Josh Stokell (St Patricks College) and North West Club’s Jillian Lyall (Launceston Grammar) each finished fourth in their respective events - the boys under 16 and the girls under 15.
Other Tasmanian athletes to make the top eight of finals on day one were Bobby Malcomson (6th – under 17 boys 5000m walk), Danielle McConnell (8th – under 14 girls discus) and Brodie Daley (8th – under 17 boys long jump),
But there was also excitement within the Tasmanian team ranks about what is yet to come with OVA athlete Dominic Anastasio recording a comfortable 1.56.99 to be fastest qualifier for the boys under 17 800 metres final, whilst training partner, Nathan Morey ran slightly quicker at 1.55.21 to qualify sixth for the under 18 final. Both races will be contested on Saturday afternoon.
And two of the youngest members of the team, Darcey Lahey and Thomas Parry produced the goods in a hotly contested under 14 400 metres to proceed to the event’s semi finals which will be held tomorrow morning. Lahey ran 56.14, a personal best by 1.5 seconds and Parry an equal PB of 56.52 in their debut appearances at the Championships, regarded as the breeding and testing ground for the next generation of Australian track and field stars.
The Championships continue until Sunday evening.
Sydney – 6 December
For further details, please contact;
Richard Welsh - 0409 820 248
Brian Roe – 0438 604 571
END OF RELEASE