2021 AUSTRALIAN T&F CHAMPIONSHIP | DAY ONE RECAP

It was a golden day for WA on the track to open the 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships. Taylah Cruttenden dominated the Under 20 100m to win the National title and secure her spot for the World Under 20 Athletics Championships. While fellow runners Leah O’Brien, Luke Thompson and Danielle Graham all collected gold on Day One.

Cruttenden’s consistency and control were on show on Day One. The West Track athlete started the day with a relaxed preliminary, jogging over the line and only missing the World Under 20 100m qualifying time by 0.05. Looking to claim her fifth consecutive title, Cruttenden lined up at Sydney Olympic Park focused and ready to conclude her Australian junior 100m with the win.

“It was colder than I’m used to and it took a while to get moving, but once I got up and running it felt good. Great to get a hit out with a great bunch of girls. It was good to get this win and cap off Juniors  with another 100m win.”Cruttenden said.

Cruttenden blitzed the competition to claim the Under 20 100m National Title and match the Meet Record in a time of 11.64 (+0.1).

Taylah will switch her focus to the Open 100m where she will look to improve her 100m season-best. Having lined with the Open Girls in the Coles Summer Super Series, Cruttenden is ready to use the competition to go faster and further.

“Moving up to seniors is exciting, bit more of a challenge, [but] definitely ready to step up. Running against Hannah Basic and the [Open] girls has definitely inspired me to run faster, it’s been a great challenge.”

Up and comer Leah O’Brien claimed the state’s first Gold medal of the Championships with an impressive performance in the Under 14 Girls 100m. Equalling Taylah Cruttenden’s Under 14 State Record in the heats in a time of 12.19 (+0.6), O’Brien went on to claim the National title in 12.37 (-0.3).

“It feels really good to come over, get through to the finals and win at my first Nationals. I am definitely happy with the race, I ran faster in the heats and was a bit slower in the finals, but happy and excited about the result.” O’Brien said.

O’Brien was joined in the final by fellow West Australian Jessica Hanney, who claimed fourth in a time of 12.92 (-0.3). While Jeandre Keet was WA’s sole male runner to progress to the 100m final, crossing the line in 11.46 (+0.4) to finish 8^th in the U16 Boy’s 100m.

WA’s success on the track continued in the 1500m with two National titles going to Luke Thompson and Danielle Graham in the Under 15 age group. Thompson was pushed by WA teammate Jonah Hanikeri over the first 1100m to lead the field on the bell lap. Thompson looked under pressure with 250m to go, however, his final kick saw him push past Hanikeri and claim gold in 4:11.56. Graham followed suit in the next race with a composed and dominant performance. Leading the race from the beginning, Graham was able to pull further away from the other runners with every lap and claim the Australian Under 15 Girls 1500m title it 4:31.05.

Day Two Preview

WA will kickstart Day Two with a range of field events. Anais Fitzpatrick will open WA’s Pole Vault campaign in the Under 16 competition, while Etienne Rousseau will launch his way into the competition in the Men’s Under 20 Shot Put.

Out on the track, the short hurdles and 3000m walks will dominate the morning competition. Olivia Dodds will be one to watch in the Under 16 Girls Hurdles alongside Nevaeh Hill and Sienna Maltese. While in the afternoon, Sienna Fillis will go for gold in the Women’s Under 16 400m after winning her heat on Day One.

WA’s dominant middle-distance group will back in action with Danielle Graham aiming to claim her second medal of the Championship in the Under 15 3000m alongside Sienna Hathrill and Christi Bestry.

The second day of the Championship will also see the first of the relays with the Under 14 and 16 4 x 100m Relays close out the evening.

To keep up with all of the action from the 2021 Australian Track and 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.