<09.12.07> - Review of Day Four Aust All Schools
09 Dec 2007
Media Release
Sunday 9 December, 2007
HAMISH PEACOCK – A STAR IN THE MAKING
Hamish Peacock’s dramatic final throw victory in the under 18 boy’s shot put final on the final day of the 2007 Australian All Schools and Youth Athletics Championships in Sydney emphatically demonstrated why he has the potential to go all the way in the sport.
Although Peacock was the defending champion in the event for his age group, the shot is very much a secondary discipline for the Rosny College student to the javelin in which he is the current World Youth silver medallist. Yet he was still able to produce what was needed – a personal best of nearly a metre with the 5kg implement – after New South Wales rival Jamal Idris had snatched the lead from him with the second last throw of the competition.
In fact the 18.65m effort gave him plenty to spare - a buffer of 35cm and a second gold for the Championships.
“To be able to deliver in the heat of competition in youth track and field, is regarded as being almost important in identifying genuine future talent as technical skill, power or speed,” AT President, Brian Roe said.
“And Hamish continues to do exactly this competition after competition, whether it is in a state or national title or even a world championship, just as he showed in July. We couldn’t have a better role model for his contemporaries here in Tasmania.”
Tasmania’s second medal of the day came via the emerging talent of Old Virgilians athlete, Lauren Free, who leapt 11.55m to take bronze in the under 15 triple jump, failing to snatch the silver by a single centimetre.
The Bridgewater High student is a strong all-rounder, but it is in the triple jump where she currently demonstrates her greatest potential.
Others to make the top eight on the fourth and last day of the Championships which drew nearly 1800 athletes from around Australia, were Rebecca Direen (6th – under 15 shot – 10.66m), Brent O’Leary (7th – under 14 javelin – 40.57m), Huw Peacock (7th – under 17 shot put – 14.86m and 5th – under 16 javelin – 53.33m), Allie Britton (7th – under 16 800 metres – 2:18.53), Darcy Lahey (7th – under 14 400m – 56.39), Jess Morey (8th – under 16 800m – 2:19.14) and Nathan Morey (8th – under 18 1500m – 4:06.63).
Each of the Tasmanian relay teams finished sixth.
The final day’s two medals left the state with a final medal tally of six gold, one silver and five bronze but with the majority of the 49 strong team recording personal bests.
“These Championships are getter tougher and tougher each year – the number of meets records that were broken was a real measure of that. In that environment what was really pleasing was the number of PBs strewn through our team list, many by athletes who were having their first exposure at this level,” Mr Roe said.
“It is clear we have half a dozen very good athletes right now, but there are some really encouraging signs for a lot of others into the future. But we, and they, have to be very patient. Success is hard to come by in the short term in this level of competition.”
Most of the team returned home to Tasmania after the Championships, whilst others remained in Sydney to represent their schools in the National Schools Knockout Cup and Plate Finals to be held at the Championships venue at Sydney Olympic Park tomorrow (Monday).
Sydney – 9 December
For further details, please contact;
Richard Welsh - 0409 820 248
Brian Roe – 0438 604 571
END OF RELEASE