Tassie pair win world championships selection

---

20 Mar 2009

Tristan Thomas and Donna MacFarlane defended their Australian titles in Brisbane on day two of the Australian Athletics Championships.

First up was Thomas, who won the 400m hurdles in 49.26, his third fastest time ever and equal to that of 1996 Tasmanian Olympian Simon Hollingsworth.

Half an hour later, MacFarlane lined up in the women's 3000m steeplechase and from the gun, all she did was increase her lead.  While not the fastest time of her illustriast career, it ticked the final box required for her to make her second world championsips team.

Three years ago, both were on the team together for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and now they will wear the green and gold and fly the flag for Tasmania in Berlin, from August 15.

So far it has been a magical championships for Tasmania, following Mel Daniels triumph in the 3000m on day 1 and Chris McConnell victory in the under 20 men's decathlo.

Theunder 18 National Youth Challenge team sits in 4th place halfway through the match style competition, on 89 points, only 10 points behind South Australia.