Telstra Australian Track & Field Championships
2001 Preview
Athletics Australia
There are two days until this country’s leading athletes will vie for Australian selection, big prizemoney and national titles at the Telstra Australian Track & Field Championships at Brisbane’s ANZ Stadium, the official athletics test event for the 2001 Goodwill Games.
From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 March, Australia’s top senior and junior athletes will compete for the first time on the new ANZ Stadium track. The QEII Stadium complex originally hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games and will now host the next three Australian Track & Field Championships.
Brisbane will witness Australian athletes at their peak as they press for selection for the 2001 World Championships in Athletics to be held in Edmonton, Canada in August.
MEN
100 Metres
Fresh from his fifth placing in the World Indoor Championships over 60 metres, Matt
Shirvington (NSWIS) will be aiming to win his fourth consecutive title. However he will
have to overcome Australia’s fastest ever on home soil, Patrick Johnson (AIS), who is
yet to win an Australian Championship. Johnson has a 3-0 record over Shirvington this
summer. The bronze medal should be a battle between Paul Di Bella (QAS), David Baxter
(VIS) and the event’s find of the season Troy Davies (NSW) who ran 10.42s in Perth.
Dean Capobianco’s meet record of 10.17 could be broken.
200 Metres
Although this event has seen little action this summer, Patrick Johnson’s only two
races at this distance have been very impressive. In the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix
meets in Canberra and Melbourne, he ran very swift times of 20.64s and 20.67s. In good
conditions, Johnson (AIS) should revise his personal best time of 20.54s, set in March
1997, just six months after he burst onto the scene.
Johnson’s main opposition should come from Olympian Daryl Wohlsen (QAS) who has not raced on the GP circuit this summer. He got serious at the Queensland titles where he ran 20.95s into a headwind, edging out Paul Di Bella (QAS) by 0.01 seconds.
400 Metres
Last year, Patrick Dwyer (NSWIS) recorded the fastest winning time for over 10 years when
he ran 45.21s, but this year he will have to overcome a major hamstring pull sustained in
late February.
Casey Vincent (NSWIS) could be a factor in the race, but his form is unknown, as he has been out of racing since he injured his arm seriously in a weight training accident. Daniel Batman (NSWIS) has led the charge this summer on the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix circuit with wins in Newcastle, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Dwyer had won Sydney and Canberra prior to his hamstring injury. Former Victorian , now resident in Sydney Mark Moresi showed some great form in February, but in the most recent Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Hobart, Paul Pearce (Vic) ran 46.23s, indicating he could be there when it counts.
800 Metres
After a slow start to the post Olympic season, Kris McCarthy (VIS) has really got moving
over the last month with fine runs in Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. McCarthy leads the
national rankings by over 1.5 seconds. The early season form was with Todd MacDonald
(NSW), who has been injured since he strained a calf in the warmup for the Telstra
Athletics Grand Prix in Sydney. The event will be keenly watched by the Presidents of two
Member Associations - Ralph Doubell (NSW) and John Higham (Vic) who won six and three
titles respectively.
1500 Metres
A warm favourite for the event is former Algerian, Youcef Abdi (NSWIS), who has run the
season’s fastest time of 3:39.51. Abdi, the winner of the Olympic trials last August,
has been the first Aussie home in the Sydney and Canberra Telstra Athletics Grand Prix
races.
3000 Metres Steeplechase
This looks to be a close battle between Queenslander Peter Nowill and ACT’s Ryan
Taylor. Taylor won at the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Hobart, while in their only
clash in Canberra, Nowill won by less than one second.
110 Metres Hurdles
Injury last season prevented Kyle Vander-Kuyp (AIS) from winning his ninth consecutive
tile, however he should be untroubled in winning the 2001 title. His main opposition will
come from form Queensland hurdler Stuart Anderson and Victorian Nfa Forster-Jones.
400 Metres Hurdles
After suffering defeat in 1999, Rohan Robinson (AIS) returned to the winning position in
2000, when he claimed a record eighth title. The 2001 title should be a hard fought battle
between Robinson and Sydney Olympics semi-finalist, Blair Young (QAS). AIS hurdler Chris
Carroll has improved progressively through the season and could surprise.
20km Walk
With the retirement of Nick A’Hern after the Olympics, Nathan Deakes should be a very
comfortable winner. Although Deakes is only 23-years-old, he has already compiled a most
impressive international record, with six top-10 places in the past four years at the
World Championships, Olympics, World Juniors, World Uni Games and Commonwealth Games.
High Jump
With four wins on the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix circuit this year, Nick Moroney (NSWIS)
is favourite for the 75th national title. His main oposition should come from
surprise winner of the Hobart Grand Prix, WA’s Jarrad Pozzi and young 16-year-old gun
James Watson from NSW.
Pole Vault
This uncertainty of this event make it difficult to predict which of Australia’s
three world class vaulters, Viktor Chistiakov (SASI), Dmitri Markov (WAIS) and Paul
Burgess (WAIS), will win. On the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix circuit, Markov ha claimed
two wins, while Chistiakov and Burgess have one win each. James Miller’s meet record
of 5.70m could be broken this year.
Long Jump
The form long jumper this season is Peter Burge (NSWIS) who placed fourth at the World
Indoors two weeks ago. Burge was the Male Athlete of the Year at the conclusion of last
year’s Grand Prix Series and is having another great season. Burge should be
unchallenged but one to mark down for the future is Queensland athlete Tim Parravincini
who placed fifth at the World Junior Championships last year.
Triple Jump
The event’s most prolific champion, Andrew Murphy will be looking for his eighth
consecutive title and his confidence will be high after winning a bronze medal at the
World Indoor Championships two weeks ago. Behind Murphy is a good developing pool of
talent. Former Queenslander Jacob McReynolds (NSW), made a major breakthrough two weeks
ago, when he leapt out to 16.24m.
Shot Put
Last season, Justin Anlezark, putt the longest distance in the 75 year history of the
even. Since becoming Australia’s first Olympic male shot putter in 40 years, Justin
Anlezark (QAS) has had a slow build-up to the Nationals. He will have a good battle with
the victor at the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Hobart Aaron Neighbour (Vic)\.
Discus
After a number of years of near misses, Peter Elvy should comfortably take the national
title. Elvy leads the national list by nearly three metres and last year became only the
fifth thrower in Australian history to reach 60 metres.
Javelin
Winner of the last three titles, Andrew Currey, threw 78.23m in his only competition this
summer. He is attempting to equal the record for the most titles - eight - held by Nick
Birks. His main competition will be Adrian Hatcher who has a summer best of 81.07 from the
Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Sydney and has been the form thrower this season. The one
to watch will be 2000 breakthrough performer and Olympian Andrew Martin (VIS).
Hammer Throw
The hottest favourite at the Nationals is Stuart Rendell (AIS), with a 10 metre lead over
the next best in Australia. World Junior bronze medallist, Aaron Fish (QAS) is the future
of the event, and his progress will be keenly watched.
Decathlon
The returning Jagan Hames (SASI) should still take this title ahead of three-time minor
medallist, Matt McEwen (QLD). An interesting entrant is former 14.00 second 110m hurdler
from South Australia David Rose.
WOMEN
100 Metres
Lauren Hewitt (VIS) is the favourite here and should claim the title. Local girl, Sharon
Cripps (QAS) is approaching personal best shape and could push Lauren to the line.
Interestingly former Olympic champion, Betty Cuthbert, and two-time Olympic 100 metres bronze medallist, Shirley Strickland, were never able to win this title, finishing runner up six times between them.
200 Metres
Lauren Hewitt (VIS) will again be favourite here, with Nova Peris (NTIS) and Sharon Cripps
(QAS) the main opposition. However with Nova and Lauren not in p.b shape, this event is
unpredictable and Cripps could pull a surprise.
400 Metres
On 2000 form Nova Peris and Jana Pittman will fight this race out with Peris starting a
firm favourite. Pittman will be challenged by a pair of young improving Victorians in
Katerina Dressler and Renee Robson, and Queenslander Rebecca Sadler.
800 Metres
Tamsyn Lewis is a very warm favourite to win her fourth consecutive title.
Former 400m hurdler, Kate Myers, is the season’s big improver.
A win by Lewis will be the 16th National title for her family-Tamsyn three at 800m; Carolyn (mum) six in the high jump, Greg (dad) three in the 100m and three in the 200m. Carolyn Lewis dominated the high jump in Australia in the ‘60s and ‘70s where she medalled at the Nationals for 12 consecutive years.
1500 Metres
Ten years ago 17-year-old Suzy Walsham won this title. In the interim, she has not won a
single medal, but starts a hot favourite for the 2001 race. Main opposition will be
Victorian Haley McGregor and NSW’s Emily Morris.
80/100 Metres Hurdles
The 1999 champion, Jacquie Munro is expected to reclaim the title. She has been the
dominant hurdler this season with six wins on the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix series.
Close by and challenging will be NSW Olympian Debbi Edwards, junior Georgie Power (VIS)
and improving Queenslander Fiona Cullen.
400 Metres Hurdles
WA have dominated this event winning 11 of the 25 titles, but in 2001, the World Junior
champion and record holder, Jana Pittman should be able to find enough to take the title.
Pittman has been out of form this season and lost two clashes with season improver, Sonia
Brito, but Pittman is very experienced and should turn around her form at the Nationals.
20km Metres Walk
A close race is expected between arch rivals, Jane Saville and Kerry Saxby-Junna (aged
39y). In there only previous clash this summer Kerry defeated Jane by over two minutes in
a 10000m walk at the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Canberra.
3000 Metres Steeplechase
With World Junior record holder Melissa Rollison absent at the World Cross Country
Championships this event in wide open. Favourite for the event will be SA’s Jane
Mudge.
High Jump
With the retirement of Alison Inverarity, Wollongong 16-year-old Petrina Price (NSWIS), is
the favourite to win. If she wins, Petrina will claim the unique achievement of winning
the U18, U20 and open titles. This was last achieved by discus thrower Lisa-Marie
Vizaniari in 1989.
Pole Vault
Despite being defeated at the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Canberra, Olympic silver
medallist Tatiana Grigorieva will be aiming to be a comfortable winner here. Her defeat in
Canberra was at the hands of WA’s Kym Howe, who will be hoping to improve her pb of
4.20m.
Long Jump
An interesting clash is expected here. Three-time Olympian, Nicole Boegman missed
selection in the Sydney Olympics team, but will be out to prove she should have been
selected. She has only just started competing since the Olympics, leaping 6.17m in
Canberra on March 10.
Sydney Olympian Bronwyn Thompson (QAS), leads the rankings with a summer best of 6.48m, but outstanding WA teenager, Shermin Oksuz has hit form with a leap of 6.41m on March 4.
Triple Jump
Nicole Mladenis started the season with a new national record of 13.82m. She is on target
to become the first Aussie over 14 metres.
Shot Put
Sydney’s Michelle Haage has a two metre gap over her nearest rival. Haage has been in
the best form of her life this season improving from her previous best of 15.29m, set at
the Olympic trials, to 15.72m at the Telstra Athletics Grand Prix in Canberra.
Discus
This should be an interesting event. Lisa-Marie Vizaniari & Gael Martin have retired,
while the other member of the 63+ metre club Alison Lever (QAS) has only thrown once all
season, but is a surprise entry for the Nationals. The form thrower this season has been
Christy Thiel (NSWIS), who had six throws over 54 metres this summer with a best of 57.13m
Thiel will be soild, while Lever’s form is good following a 58m plus throw to open
her season last weekend.
Javelin Throw
A very open event. Just 1.5 metres separates the leading three this summer. The two main
contenders are Victoria’s Kathryn Mitchell and Cecilia McIntosh.
Hammer Throw
One of the leading athletes this season has been Bronwyn Eagles (NSWIS), who has twice
raised Debbie Sosimenko’s Commonwealth & Australian records. Bronwyn has now hit
68m on three occasions and her best would have placed her fourth in the Sydney Olympics.
Close behind Bronwyn is Sydney Olympian Karyne Di Marco who will be aiming for a personal
best over 66m.
Pentathlon/Heptathlon
Just back in competition from an ankle injury sustained during her Olympic campaign, Jane
Jamieson (NSWIS) may be a little underdone but her ability could take her over the 6000
point mark. Also aiming to smash through the 6000pt mark is Clare Thompson (Vic) who came
agonisingly close to Olympic qualification last year.
