<08.12.07> - Review of Day Three Aust All Schools
08 Dec 2007
Media Release
Saturday 8 December, 2007
TWO NEW AUSSIE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS FOR TASMANIA
Tasmania has two new national athletics champions following an action packed day three of competition at the 2007 Australian All Schools and Youth Athletics Championships in Sydney today (Saturday).
Launceston’s Josh Harris and Hobart’s Simon Bennett produced season best efforts to each end up on the top position of the victory dais.
Bennett produced a flawless performance of high jumping in the under 17 championship, clearing the bar at his first attempt at each of 1.89m, 1.93m and 1.96, at which point four other athletes remained in the competition.
Jumping first in the order at 1.99m, he struck again first up, whilst the others all faltered - failing to clear the bar on all three opportunities at the height. With the gold assured, the Rosetta High student then sailed over 2.01m to set a personal and season best before exiting the competition at 2.03m.
Harris, who competes for the Tamar Club and attends Launceston College, streeted the field to win the under 18 boys 2000m steeplechase final by 23 seconds - the length of the finishing straight, in a time of 5:59.05. It was a return to form for the national youth squad member, who struggled with the higher barriers when he changed age groups last season.
A day at these Championships would not, of course, be complete without the Peacock brothers coming to the fore and today was no exception with Huw going up an age category to take a silver medal in the under 17 hammer throw, tossing the 5kg implement out to 57.14m, shading on this occasion, older brother Hamish who threw 51.95m to pick up bronze in the under 18 competition.
It was solid day’s all round effort from the Tassie Team with twelve others finishing within the top eight in their respective events, in addition to Huw Peacock’s sixth placing in the under 16 discus (54.20m).
Of those the most impressive were probably the fourth placings from Dom Anastasio (boys under 17 800m) and Lauren Free (girls under 17 triple jump). After appearing to misjudge the quick early pace of the race, Anastasio rattled home to record a time of 1:55.68 and miss a medal by less then half a second.
To gain experience in bigger competitions, Free went up two age categories and recorded a best of 11.55m, which in the end was just five centimetres of what was required for a medal. She will relish the chance to compete in her own age group tomorrow.
Lauren Vaessen (under 18 pole vault – 2.80m) also picked up a fourth placing, whilst Rebecca Direen (under 14 shot put – 12.29m) demonstrated her potential with a personal best and a fifth spot finish.
Other to make the top eight were Sophie Ireland (7th - under18 2000m steeple – 8:06.11), Nathan Morey (7th – under 18 800m – 1:54.29), Oscar Phillips (8th – under 17 2000m steeple – 6:48.97), Kara Lee Walker (8th – under 16 javelin – 34.54m), Freya Wilson (7th – under 17 2000m steeple – 7:40.96), Allie Britton (7th – under 16 1500m – 4:54.83), Jessica Morey (8th – under 16 1500m – 4:55.84), Jillian Lyall (7th – under 15 1500m – 4:50.36).
The Championships conclude on Sunday evening.
Sydney – 8 December
For further details, please contact;
Richard Welsh - 0409 820 248
Brian Roe – 0438 604 571
END OF RELEASE