2021 AUSTRALIAN T&F CHAMPIONSHIP | DAY TWO RECAP

Day Two of the 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships saw WA claim four more National titles, with standout performances from Danielle Graham, Isahra Russell and Anais Fitzpatrick.

Danielle Graham has backed up her 1500m gold from Day One with an equally spectacular performance in the 3000m. Leading a packed race of 30, Graham once again was calm and composed as she executed a flawless race from the starter's gun.

“It was a bit nerve-racking to start with because I've never run with so many people in a race. It also started faster than I thought it would, but I stayed calmed and was conservative with [my] pace. The main goal was to stick with the pack for the first 2000m and then go the last [1000m]. ” Graham said.

Kicking away from the pack with 400m to go, Graham secured her second 2021 Under 15 Australian title in 10:00.51.

"It feels unreal [winning the 1500m and 3000m]. I never thought it would happen, but being surrounded by all of my families and friends has helped a lot."

Anais Fitzpatrick opened the state’s Pole Vault campaign in style with gold in the Under 16 competition. Fitzpatrick looked confident out on the runway and was able to sail through from 3.10m to 3.50m with first attempts equalling her personal best, before three attempts at 3.60m.

Isahra Russell came out on top in a packed Under 15 Women’s High Jump competition after clearing 1.71m. Pushed on by the NSW athlete who was going jump for jump, Russell was able to jump a massive 5cm personal best and clinch the 2021 National Title.

WA’s final gold for Day Two came at the end of the evening via a thrilling Under 16 Girl’s 4x100m. Evelyn John Jimmi, Sienna Fillis, Kate Nolan and Olivia Dodds were neck and neck with NSW over the first 300m. However, a killer final leg by Dodds saw WA storm home and claim the 2021 National title in a new state record time of 47.28.

Three WA athletes made it through to the finals of the short hurdles. Olivia Dodds and Sienna Maltese progressed through in the Under 16 90m Hurdles. Dodds was firing on all cylinders and delivered the goods, producing a 0.2 personal best to claim silver in 12.81 (-0.1). While in the men's competition, Pathwai Edwards progressed through to the final in the Under 16 100m Hurdles. Edwards crossed the line in 13.71 (+0.7) to finish fifth in Australia.

WA’s sole track medal in the morning came from Kaytee Bogaers in the Women’s Under 14 3000m Walk. Bogaers crossed the line in 16:28.66 to claim bronze and collected the first walks medal of the day. John Ronan added to WA’s growing medal collection later in the afternoon with a bronze in the packed Under 16 3000m Walk, crossing the line in 13:51.12.

During the afternoon session, WA’s field success continued with medals in Shot Put, Pole Vault and Javelin. Etienne Rousseau collected a bronze in the U20 Men’s Shot Put with a best throw of 15.86m. Aqua Samuels debuted in the Under 14 Girl’s Pole Vault securing silver with a clearance of 2.45m.  While Jaxon Stewart rounded out the field medals for Day 2 with bronze in the Under 15 Men’s Javelin with a best throw of 43.59m.

Day Three Preview

Day Three will see the heats of the junior 200m get things started. 100m National Champion Leah O’Brien will return to the track in search of adding the 200m Under 14 title to her 2021 campaign. O’Brien will be challenged once again by fellow West Australian Jessica Hanney. After a sensational Day Two, Olivia Dodds is set to back it up with a run in the Under 16 200m.

Under 15 1500m National Champions Luke Thompson and Danielle Graham will lead the WA junior runners in the 800m heats. Then the state’s middle-distance talent will once again look to impress on the track with the Steeplechase competitions.

Out in the field, Etienne Rousseau will return and look to add gold to his 2021 campaign with the Men’s Under 20 Discus competition. While in the jumps, Jacob Hristianopoulos will unleash in the Under 20 Men’s Long Jump competition.

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.