Final wrap from the 2008 Tasmanian Track & Field Championships
10 Mar 2008
Monday, 10 March 2008
Multiple Victories Highlight Championships
It was a case of athletes winning double and triple gold medals on the final day of the 2008 Tasmanian Track & Field Championships at Hobarts Domain Athletics Centre.
Grant Page re-wrote the history books, winning the Open Men’s 400m, 800m and 1500m. It was the first time in history to the feat had been accomplished. Page completed the treble today when he won the 800m in one of the most anticipated clashes of the championships. His winning time of 1.51.88 the most impressive of this three victories, but also enable Tom Beard to shave more than a second from his personal best, as he posted 1.53.29 to place second and Stephen Rae winning bronze.
The Male Athlete of the Meet however was Hamish Peacock, whose effort in the Open Men’s Javelin on day 1 saw him gain yet another qualifier for the World Junior Championships in Poland later this year.
Although not contesting the event she has qualified in for this years Olympics, Donna MacFarlane (Sandy Bay) showed her versatility by winning the 800m yesterday. That made it two gold for Tasmania’s best track athlete adding to the 5000m she won on Sunday evening.
In the absence of North Launceston’s Kate Pedley, MacFarlane was just too good for her fellow competitors as she clocked 2.11.44 to finish in front of Suzy Cole (North Launceston) and AT/TIS Development squad member Jessica Morey (OVA).
The Open Men and Women 200m titles both went to existing winners from the weekends championships. Fresh from winning the 100m on Sunday, Luke Whitney powered off the bend to take the short sprint double, clocking 22.59 (-1.6) for the half lap journey.
The Open Women’s equivalent created the long sprint double for TIS athlete Morgan Whiley. Her winning time of 25.29 (-1.5) nicely complimented her 400m victory from day 1.
A limping Graham Hicks defended his state Discus title, with a best throw of 50.37m. The big man was sporting a ripper bruise on his upper leg after tearing his adductor at last weeks Australian Championships in Brisbane.
The competition concluded with some exciting 4 x 400m relays. Opening up a massive lead early in men’s race, OVA held on ahead of a fast finishing Eastern Suburbs and Sandy Bay. While the women’s race saw Sandy Bay win easily ahead of a close finish between OVA who took silver and Eastern Suburbs winning the bronze.
Huw Peacock had a weekend to remember in the field. The Eastern Suburbs throwing prodigy set new personal bests in each event he participated in, winning many of them. Meanwhile Lauren Free was awarded the underage female encouragement award. Both athletes were announced in the 2008 AT/TIS Development Squad at the launch on Saturday.
The championships bring an end to formal competition for the 2007/2008 Track & Field Season. Athletics Tasmania will hold its annual Athlete of the Year Function at the Domain Athletics Centre on Saturday April 12. Tickets available from the Athletics Tasmania office.