DAY FIVE RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The halfway point of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships was dominated by the qualifying rounds for the Open Athletes and Junior National titles for Olivia Dodds, Robert Marchesi-Scott and Leila Barker.

Olivia Dodds opened her campaign with gold in the Women’s Under 17 100m Final. As one of the fastest junior women in Australia, Dodds dominated her heat with a 12.03 (-0.8) and was well ahead of her field. Joined by fellow WA sprinter Evelyn John Jimmi in the Final, Dodds fought another headwind to cross the finish line in 11.95 (-0.7) to just miss the World Under 20 Qualifier of 11.90.

“It felt good, the headwind was a bit challenging, but it was okay. Get to switch focus to the 100m Hurdles tomorrow and 200m on Saturday, very excited for the 200m. I’m feeling confident and trying to get another World Under 20 qualifier. The win would be great too.” Dodds said.

Robert Marchesi Scott launched his Australian Championship campaign with a dominant performance in the Under 18 Shot Put. Going back to back with the Shot Put titles, Marchesi-Scott won the Shot Put with a throw of 19.00m, winning by over a meter.

Leila Barker concluded Day Five for WA in style with gold in the Women’s Under 18 Pole Vault. Battling cold and wet conditions, Barker cleared 3.45m alongside the South Australian but was able to claim the National title on countback.

Sarah Edmiston headlined the Open Competition with a silver in the Open Women’s Discus Ambulant final. The number one ranked Commonwealth Discus thrower in her classification, Edmiston lodged a best throw of 36.37m and will now switch her focus to building towards Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Jackson Hamilton followed Edmiston’s silver with one of his own, claiming second place in the Men’s Discus Ambulant final with the best throw of 42.11m.

Anais Fitzpatrick added to WA’s medal tally with a silver in the Under 17 Women’s Pole Vault. Fitzpatrick just missed out on the top of the podium on countback, with a best clearance of 3.40m.  

Qualifying rounds dominated the Open Athletes’ first day with Matthew Ramsden cruising through to the Men’s 1500m Final. Easing up on the line, Ramsden looked comfortable with plenty more in the tank for Friday night. Olympians Nina Kennedy and Liz Parnova, as well as Olivia Gross and Ellie Parsons have all secured a spot in Friday night’s Open Women’s Pole Vault Final.

Day Six Preview

Day Six will see some of Australia’s favourite athletes hit the track with Tokyo 2020 athletes Peter Bol and Madison de Rozario starting their campaigns. Underdogs Emma Phillipe and Cruz Hogan will also be in action on Day Six as they aim to make their mark on the Australian Championships. 

Emma Phillipe will be looking to produce personal best results to progress to Saturday Night’s Final with cutthroat progressions at play in the Open Women’s 800m. While Peter Bol will launch his campaign with the First Round of the Open Men’s 800m, ahead of Friday’s Semi-Final and Saturday night’s final.

Madison de Rozario returns to the track after a sensational 2021. De Rozario is up against the likes of Angie Ballard as she looks for a solid hit out in the Open Women’s 1500m Wheelchair race.

Out in the field, an in form Cruz Hogan will be looking for some big throws in the qualifying round of the Men’s Open Javelin alongside Thomas Hilditch and Janno van der Linde.

Olivia Dodds will return to Sydney Olympic Park for the Under 17 100m Hurdles in search of her second 2022 National title. Also on the track, WA will be well represented in the junior 1500m finals with seven athletes set to don the black and gold in the Men and Women Under 17 and 18 finals.

To keep up with all of the action from the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track & Field Championships, be sure to check Team WA’s Daily Recap available via the Athletics West website, Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information about the Championships head to Athletics Australia’s event page or check out the Championship’s LIVE RESULTS HERE.

By David Smith, Athletics West

Posted: 30/3/2022