2009 Tasmanian State Track & Field Championships - weekend 2 preview
13 Mar 2009
Weekend 2 of State Championships Preview
Tasmanian Athletics hits its climax this weekend with the second and final weekend of the state championships in Hobart.
With the Australian titles in Brisbane next week, the season really is hotting up for the states finest track & field athletes. After some tremendous competition in Launceston a fortnight ago, the track looks set to sizzle at the Domain, with the open 200m, 800m, 5000m, sprint hurdles, hammer, discus, javelin, race walk, long jump, high jump, and 4 x 400m relay for both men and women.
Up to half a dozen men are in with a chance for the 200m. Last year’s title went to Luke Whitney, running 22.69sec in a straight final, this year the field has more than doubled and the quality has risen rapidly. Recently crowned 100m state champion Gareth Jubb (North West) will be joined by winner of the 400m in Hobart, Tao Baker (North Launceston) and former Australian under 20 medallist at the event, Sam Crosswell (Sandy Bay). Add to that the fastest Tasmanian this season over 100m, Monbo Jetoh (North Launceston), plus a hoard of up and coming juniors and we have one exciting line up ladies and gentlemen.
The states strong men will be bringing the grunts in the open men’s hammer. Pacific School Games champion Huw Peacock is carrying strong form at this important time of the season, but the state’s best grunter, Todd Hodgetts is one big man in the teenagers way. AT/TIS Development Squad athlete Chris Edwards has made the transition from javelin to hammer this season and will be chasing a medal, but will have to fight it out with Australian University Games bronze medallist Stuart Morse and the state’s highest profile thrower, Hamish Peacock.
Run For Your Life Australian Distance Runner of the Year Donna MacFarlane will go around in the women’s 800m, looking to defend her title from 2008. While the Olympian will be the firm favourite, behind her will be much of the excitement as the field exudes youthful talent. Natalea Smith is a bundle of excitement to watch over 800m and despite being only 14 years of age, is the next fastest in the field. A handful of women in the race have also broken 2min 20sec this season, including Jillian Lyall (North West), Allie Britton (Sandy Bay), Felicity Stronger and Jess Morey (OVA), and North Launceston’s Suzy Cole.
One of the best women’s hammer fields ever has been assembled for Saturday afternoon, with Danni McConnell and Mikayla Genge going head to head again. Both have broken state underage records this season and are carrying spectacular form, with both being rewarded with state representation for next week’s National Youth Challenge in Brisbane. Erin Rowbottom and Nicky Ristrom will be in the hunt for a place on the podium also.
The largest and perhaps hottest fields of the weekend will be the open men’s 800m. With 17 athletes in contention, a place in the final will be tough for all runners in the cut throat qualifying format. Defending champion Grant Page carries stellar form into the race and with only 4 ½ hours between heats and finals, it will favour the 1500m runner. However, one mistake from the Northern Suburbs athlete and he will be flanked by a handful of other contenders. State 400m silver medallist Tom Beard ran 1min 54sec on Monday at interclub and has a lethal kick on him, so Page will need to ensure the pace is honest throughout the race. National All Schools finalists Nathan Morey and Dominic Anastasio are amongst the smoothest movers over 2 laps in the state will be backing their youth in the open race. At the other end of the scale is Stephen Rae, who will draw on his vast experience to keep the youngsters honest. Add to that the three medallist from the state 1500m a fortnight ago, being Sam Ferguson, Josh Harris and Richard Welsh and a place in the final will be one to honour indeed.
Although one of the smallest fields over the weekend, the men’s high jump oozes appeal. Former TIS scholarship holder Ben Rickards (OVA) won the event at the Briggs Athletics Classic back in January, but will be up against a new threat in the event. Recently arriving from US College Western Illanois, Andrew Diecker (North West) carries a strong pedigree. While not confirmed, the way he cleared 1.95m in Penguin last month suggests the rumours that he has jumped 2.20m would be true. Either way, expect the bar to put raised well over the height of a door frame as both men look to leap to the sky.
Kaitlin Morgan will be the stand out favourite for the women’s high jump. At only 14 years of age and in only her first season of athletics, she is the find of the season for the sport in Tasmania. After winning a silver medal at the Pacific School Games in December, her best has continued to rise. During the week, she unofficially cleared 1.76m in training, during a training session with Athletics Australia’s National Youth High Jump Coach Sandro Bisetto. That height is a world youth qualifier, even though the OVA athlete is still too young for consideration.