<10.02.08> - Tasmanian’s Triumph at Interstate Championships
10 Feb 2008
Media Release
10 February, 2008
Tasmanian’s Triumph at Interstate Championships
Australia’s three most populated states held their state championships this weekend and were joined by many Tasmanian’s, some of whom, the mainlanders could not defeat.
After finishing twice in the past two years, Hobart’s Grant Page finally won the Victorian 1500m title. While Page’s time of 3.49.62 is far from his fastest time of the season, it is a massive breakthrough tactically for the 26 year old. Page has dominated middle distance running in Tasmania for many years, however he has struggled in situations such as championships, where often a muddling pace is employed.
Page finished ahead of Australian Under 20 Champion Matt Gibney, who was running for the Border Track & Field Club and Craig Huffer who recorded a World Junior qualifier at the Briggs Athletics Classic in Hobart last month. “I just ran the race with a bit of aggression and responded to everyone’s moves to keep myself in a good spot,” Page said from Olympic Park in Melbourne.
The Northern Suburbs athlete won his heat comfortably, toeing the line for the final with the confidence needed to take one of the biggest titles of his career. “In the final, it was all about timing my kick at the end. I wanted to go in the back straight, but waited until after the last bend.” It will give Page the confidence he needs to make the final at the Beijing Olympics Selection Trials and 86th Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane in three weeks time.
Further north, 2006 Commonwealth Games 400m Hurdles representative Tristan Thomas made a successful return to his pet event. Competing at the Queensland Open and Under 18 Championships in Brisbane, Thomas won the 400m hurdles in a time of 51.11 ahead of Papua New Guinea national champion Mowen Boino. After an injury plagued last two seasons, this performance will no doubt excite many Tasmanian athletics fans as Thomas attempts to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Back in Melbourne, Tasmanian’s won two bronze medals at Olympic Park. TIS scholarship holder Morgan Whiley ran 55.14, to place third behind Tamsyn Lewis and Madeleine Pape in the 400m. Launceston’s Kate Pedley narrowly missed out on the final, placing 9th in the preliminaries, while 4th place in her heat was not enough for Devonport’s Nicole Perry to progress to the Victorian Final.
While in the Open Women’s 5000m walk, Lynette Banister placed third, recording 24.45.34.
February is an exciting time for Athletics in Australia. Next weekend will see the Sydney Athletics Grand Prix, then the following Thursday, Melbourne will be rocking when the Melbourne Athletics Grand Prix takes place. Both meets will feature Jamaican 100m World Record Holder Asafa Powell and Olympic 400m Champion Jeremy Wariner of the USA.
For further information;
Richard Welsh 03 6234 9551 / 0409 820 248
Brian Roe 0438 604 571
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