Athletics New Zealand - Weekly update

 

AUCKLAND

Auckland Track & Field Championships, Mt Smart Stadium – 26/27 February 2011

In her first competition of the season Olympic and world shot put champion Valerie Adams set a fresh New Zealand allcomers and resident record of 20.33m at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday.

This added eight centimetres to her record set at Waitakere in 2009 and equalled in Hamilton in February last year. She holds the New Zealand national record of 21.07m set in Greece in 2009.

Adams was competing in the Auckland championships, after the meeting that she was down to compete at in Christchurch on Saturday evening was cancelled.

“I’m pretty pleased with that, this week has been really hectic, devastating earthquake in Christchurch and I was sort of building up for the Christchurch meeting. But that’s the way it goes and you just got to deal with it,” she said.

“It’s good to come out here and crack 20 metres; that was my goal to break the resident record, I have just one more comp in New Zealand and then I’m out of here,” said Adams.

She is off to Melbourne next weekend and then to the Sydney meeting and returning for the New Zealand championships in Dunedin at the end of March before heading to Switzerland.

 

Elizabeth Lamb added one centimetre to her personal best high jump clearing 1.86m, to also improve on her Auckland record. Lamb, the 2009 New Zealand senior champion and current W19 champion, said it has been a while for breakthrough to come.

“It’s fantastic, I’ve been looking to jumping this for a while, it’s good to get it out of the way and I now look forward to higher heights,” she said. Her goal is the New Zealand W19 record of 1.91m and the senior record of 1.92m both held by 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tania Murray.

Andrea Koenen set an Auckland women’s 100m record of 11.54s (+1.6), breaking Kim Robertson’s 1978 record of 11.62s. Koenen followed up the next day winning the 200m in 24.05s (+1.3). Carl Van der Speck also collected the sprint double with times of 10.43s (+2.8) and 21.62s (+3.6).

Alex Parlane, the national cross country champion won the 1500m in 3m 54.01s and the 5000m in 14m 32.46s while Katie Wright was impressive in the women’s middle distance races with run away victories in the 800m in 2m 9.66s and the 1500m in 4m 21.36s.

Frazer Wickes moved up from his junior grade to win the senior 400m in 47.47s. Louise Jones won the women’s 400m in 55.21s.

Pascal Kethers qualified for selection to the world youth championship in France in July after clearing 4.75m in the pole vault. He beat Nicholas Southgate, who had already qualified for the youth championships, on a count back after both clearing 4.75m. 

Michael Cochrane won the M19 110m hurdles in 14.13s (+3.4), under the New Zealand record but for the following wind being too strong for the record to be allowed. Cochrane fought hard in the 400m hurdles to hold out James Mortimer in 51.19s, Mortimer clocking 51.31s.

Merewarihi Vaka won the W16 100m in 12.57s (+2.6) and the discus throwing 50.03m.

A total of 152 have been selected to represent Auckland at the New Zealand championships in Dunedin next month. Convenor of selectors Dave Norris said this shows the high standard of athletics in Auckland at the moment.

“The selectors set tough selection standards and we are delighted that 152 athletes achieved the standards,” said Norris.

 

WELLINGTON

Athletics, Newtown Stadium – 26 February 2011

Olympic silver medallist Nick Willis overcame emotion in running a well-paced sub-four minute mile on Saturday evening.

An hour after finally being presented with his Beijing Olympic silver medal, and in a meeting he organised as a fund-raiser for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake, Willis clocked 3m 58.37s into a stiff Wellington southerly.

The minor places were filled by Willis' American training mates. Will Leer was second in a time of 3m 58.80s, and Brandon Bethke third in 4m 00.04s. Hamish Carson was fourth in 4m 10.00s, followed by Matt Lambert 4m 10.02s and Aaron Pulford 4m 18.25s.

Another training partner, top-ranked American middle distance runner Alan Webb, who earlier in the evening ran the 800m, helped the early peacemaking as the field reeled off 60 second laps after a 58sec for the opening 400m.

Willis, tucked in behind, was given a luxury ride as Webb pulled out with 600m to go and Leer took over at the front.

With 200m to go, Willis eased into the lead, wound up the tempo and edged out Leer in the last 50 metres.

"The first 300m felt awesome but then we hit the home straight with a tail wind. The pacemaker really accelerated, and that didn't feel good on the legs," he said afterwards.

"I thought maybe the emotion of the occasion had made me fatigued, but I was able to recompose."

Willis was particularly grateful at the load taken up by his American training partners.

"They told me after the medal ceremony they'd be willing to take the lead after the rabbit pulled out, because of all the emotion," he said.

"I owe a lot to them that I didn't have to go out and make that sacrifice at the front. That really helped me to have the confidence that, despite the fatigue and tiredness, I'd be there for the last 100m and then it was just whoever had the most at the end."

Willis finished third at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was elevated to second after winner Rashid Ramzi tested positive for a blood-boosting drug.

The Lower Hutt runner was due to finally be presented with his silver medal at the international track meeting scheduled for Christchurch on Saturday evening.

But with the event cancelled because of Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake, International Olympic Committee member Barry Maister instead presented Willis with his medal in an emotional ceremony at the hastily organised meeting.

Glen Ballam won the 800m in 1m 51.01s, from Tim Hawkes 1m 51.79s and Webb 1m 52.16s. Anna Roche won the women’s 1500m in 4m 31.12s, from Sarah Drought 4m 31.98s and Caroline Mellsop 4m 32.72s. Evan Cooper won the men’s 1500m in 3m 54.32s, from Jesse Patel 3m 56.97s and Cary Chaffe 3m 58.61s.

In the long jump Ryan Roselli was out to 7.28m (+0.9) and Brendan Barnett went six centimetres further than his New Zealand M16 record with 7.19m (+1.9). James Hutchens was third with 7.02m (0.0). Andrew Kennedy won the 100m in 10.94s (+0.1) from Alex Jordan 10.99s. Jordan won the 200m earlier in the afternoon in 21.37s  (+1.9) from Joseph Millar 22.25s. Elise McIlroy won the women’s 100m in 12.81s (+2.4) and the 200m in 26.47s (+2.1).

Upwards of 2000 people attended the meeting and $20,100 was collected for the Christchurch relief fund appeal.

 

AUCKLAND

O’Hagan’s Viaduct Harbour 5km Series – 22 February 2011

James Kuegler won in 16m 18s, from Andy Hughes 16m 25s and Gavin Stevens 16m 48s. Camel Hanly recorded 17m 40s.

 

Takapuna 5km Rat Race, Milford – 23 February 2011

Andrew Cave won in 16m 48s, from Brett Katterns 18m 52s. Tracey Henderson recorded 21m 24s.

 

HAMILTON

Eastside 5km River Run – 22 February 2011

Steven Smith won in 16m 27s, 10 seconds ahead of Phil Murray with John Crane third in 17m. Helen Rountree was the first woman in 18m 32s.

 

TAURANGA

Waikato Bay of Plenty Track & Field Championships, Tauranga Domain – 26 February 2011

Ryan Howe won the M19 100m in 10.98s (+1.9) and a record in the long jump 7.37m (+1.9). Cameron French M19 200m 22.55s (+2.9) and 400m 51.74s. Bennet Rogers M16 400m 52.08s. Julian Oakley M19 800m 1m 54.93s and 1500m 4m 4.06s. Thomas McLaughlin M16 800m 1m 58.74s. Scott Hilliar M16 1500m 4m 4.97s. Phil Simms M19 400m hurdles 56.13s and long jump 6.41m (+0.8). Matthew Holcroft M16 5000m walk 24m 4.32s. Joseph Reynolds record in the M16 high jump 1.96m. Alex Colvin M16 triple jump 13.16m (+2.2), Luke Davison M16 javelin throw 54.45m.

Mariah Ririnui won the W19 100m in 12.72s (+1.6), Talia Horgan won the W16 200m in 25.93s (+0.8) and 400m in 58.49s. Maggie Unternahrer W16 800m in 2m 17.90s. Mikayla Nielsen W19 1500m in 4m 43.53s and 5000m in 16m 59.28s. Sally Gibbs (47) was impressive in the W45 age group winning the 800m in 2m 22.22s, 1500m in 4m 48.29s and 5000m in 17m 20.34s. Christine McCahill (46) was also impressive in the field events, shot put 11.18m, discus 34.51m, weight throw 14.62m and a NZ masters W45 hammer record of 48.52m. Taupo’s Ashleigh Sando had a successful day, winning the W16 triple jump 10.59m (+1.7), long jump 4.94m (+4.0), high jump 1.70m as well as the W19 high jump 1.63m.

Julia Ratcliffe won the senior hammer with 61.01m and the W19 hammer 61.08m. Keshia Grant had the javelin out to 47.63m.

 

HASTINGS

Hawkes Bay Gisborne Track and Field Championships, Regional Sports Park Hastings – 26 February 2011

Liam Murphy won the M16 javelin with a throw of 52.64m while Ben Harrison won the M19 javelin throwing 44.90m.

Matthew Taylor won the M16 3000m in 9m 11.96s and Anneke Smith the W16 800m in 2m 25.87s.

In the sprints Lisa Osborne won the senior women’s 100m in 13.30s (-5.4) and Billy Kerr won the M16 100m in 12.54s (-3.9). He also won the 400m in 54.25s.

 

WELLINGTON

Lifestyle Sports Waterfront 5km Series – 22 February 2011

Andrew Wharton won in 17m 27s, one second ahead of Chris Martin. Helen Smith recorded 22m 49s. John Roskvist won the walk in 31m 29s, from Terri Grimmett 32m 23s.

 

NELSON

Sprig & Fern Series, 5km Off Road – 22 February 2011

Cliff Bowman won in 20m 2s.

 

DUNEDIN

Athletics, Caledonian Stadium – 26 February 2011

Andrew Whyte won the M19 100m in 11.63s (-3.4) and the 200m in 22.43s (-1.6). Andrew Moore won the senior 100m in 11.45s (-3.4) and Nick Ash the 200m in 22.71s (-1.6). Rebekah Greene won the W19 800m in 2m 12.78s from Hannah Newbould 2m 15.71s. Anna Kean won the W16 800m in 2m 17.78s. Daniel Balchin won the senior 1500m in 3m 51.70s from Callan Moody 3m 56.62s while the women’s 1500m went to Rachel Kingsford 4m 34.58s.

In the field Marshall Hall had the senior hammer out to 51.96m, Dean Rusbatch sent the M16 hammer to 50.71m. In the senior weight shot Tom Walsh recorded 16.51m and Jerram Hutson 14.19m. Kate Philpott (Pal/Nth) won the triple jump with 10.75m (-2.1).

 

OCEANIA MERIT AWARD TO DEBBIE STRANGE

Debbie Strange was presented with an Oceania Athletics Association Merit Award at the Porritt Classic meeting last week by the Executive Director of Oceania Athletics Yvonne Mullins.

Debbie is a leading New Zealand throws coach for over 20 years. Among the athletes that she has coached are Beatrice Faumuina and Stuart Farquhar. Her coaching extends from local level with her Hamilton club to the Waikato Bay of Plenty region and nationally.

She has attended a number of Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympic Games as a team coach or official. Debbie has also been a team coach for Oceania Grand Prix teams, Oceania World Cup in 2002 and the Asia Pacific Team in Croatia last year.

Debbie has been instrumental in educating coaches in the Oceania area where she has been involved in the development of athletics programmes for coaches. She has lectured at Oceania Regional Development Centre courses and was the throws editor in charge of coach education syllabus and materials. She lectured at the throws conference in New Caledonia last year. She has also lectured in Norfolk Island, Fiji, Cook Islands, Palau, Guam, Vanuatu and throughout New Zealand.

 

Oceania area representative on the IAAF council since 1998 Bill Bailey was recently made a Life Member of the Oceania Athletics Association.

 

THINKING OF CHRISTCHURCH

Let’s all think of the people of Christchurch and what we from outside of Christchurch can do to help them.

As mentioned above $20,100 was collected in donations for the Christchurch Relief Fund at the meeting in Wellington Saturday evening and at the Auckland championships over the weekend $800 was collected. 

Also our thoughts are with the family of Brian Taylor who, as the managing director of King’s Education Ltd, was in the CTV building at the time of the earthquake and is still unaccounted for.

 

Brian represented Canterbury on the track and cross country for 20 years from 1963 to 1983. He is a former Canterbury title holder over 1 mile, three miles and six miles as well as a record holder in the mile and six miles. He held the New Zealand University record for three miles. He started coaching in 1964 achieving considerable success with the athletes he coached, gaining eight golds, ten silvers and 15 bronze medals at national championships. Since 1998 he has coached runners to successes at the New Zealand secondary schools championships from 800m upwards to seven gold, five silver and eight bronze. His athletes have also gone on to represent New Zealand at the world cross country championships, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Conference Games and Oceania Games in the 3000m steeplechase, 1500m and 5000m. He was a strong advocate of the Arthur Lydiard training methods and as a good friend of Arthur, has in the past, invited him down from Auckland to watch the Christchurch marathon.

Brian spent 22 years teaching science at Lincoln High School and was also a lecturer at the Christchurch College of Education and the director of the New Zealand Science Centre for 15 years. He was qualified M.Ed, B.Sc and Dip Tchg.