Vicky Parnov of Australia - World Youth Team (© Athletics Australia)
Commonwealth Games qualifying performances, Australian records and a host of personal bests were the highlights of two departure meets for the Australian Youth team for Marrakech World Championships.
The Australian team gathered on the Gold Coast for a six-day departure camp which included two competitions, before departing (Thursday) for the journey to Marrakech.
Competing in ideal conditions last Tuesday, 14-year-old Vicky Parnov vaulted an enormous 4.15m and then went on to have three excellent attempts at 4.20m. Her new personal best was also a new Australian under-16 record and equalled the Australian under-18 record.
4.20 is possible
“My run-up and takeoff were good, but my upside down could be improved,” said Parnov who when she competes in Marrakech will become the youngest ever Australian representative at the World Youth Championships. “My aim in Marrakech is to make the final and I believe a vault of 4.20m or 4.25m is possible.”
Sydney thrower, Dani Samuels raised her own Australian under-18 discus record with a throw of 55.94m. The performance was also a Commonwealth Games qualifier and in excess of the current World Youth Championships meet record. Samuels also put 15.15m in the shot.
Although not a record or personal best, one of the most impressive performances was by Katherine Katsanevakis in the 800m with a fantastic time of 2:05.23. Katsanevakis, who is the national open champion, has been very professional in her approach and she is expected to be one of the team’s leading performers in Marrakech.
Canberra hurdler, Lauren Boden produced an excellent series in her long jump competition. She equalled her pb at 6.06m, then raised it to 6.07m on her fifth attempt. In the 400m Hurdles she ran 59.87 and declared, “Things are on track for the World Youth Championships.”
Grosseto finalist aiming for gold
Australian open long jump champion and medal prospect in Marrakech, Chris Noffke, leapt 7.57m and 7.62m in his two Gold Coast competitions. Noffke placed fourth last year in the World Junior Championships and currently leads the World under-18 list.
One of the youngest members of the team, 15-year-old Olivia Tauro, claimed two sprint doubles at the competitions, clocking best times of 11.95 (100m) and 24.28 (200m). Tauro, then ran a 200m leg on the Australian medley relay (100m, 200m, 300m, 400m) team which set an inaugural National record. The team clocked 2:11.56, which would have placed sixth at the 2003 World Youth Championships. Also on the medley relay team were: Jess Gulli (100m), Mim Hill (300m) and Lauren Boden (400m).
At Sunday’s meet, the youngest male in the team, Sydney shot putter Emanuele Fumatu, aged 16, and towering 181cm tall, smashed his personal best with a fifth round put of 19.31m. In the men’s javelin Melbourne’s Nathan Burgess launched the javelin out to a new lifetime best distance of 69.04m.
For the third occasion in 10 days, Brisbane triple jumper, Scott McLeod-Robertson raised his personal best. On Tuesday he bounded out to 15.28m.
Sherbrooke 400m bronze medallist, Jamiee-Lee Hoebergen clocked a swift 53.77 at meet one of the departure competitions.
David Tarbotton for the IAAF
Other outstanding performances were:
Pole Vault - Matt Boyd 4.95m, Matt Fryer 4.90m.
High Jump - Liam Zamel-Paez 2.10m
800m - Nick Toohey 1:53.00
100m hurdles – Charlotte Yeates (0.8)
100m Hurdles – Jess Gulli 13.76w (2.4)
