2024 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS | DAY TWO RECAP

WA’s Under 20 Women have dominated Day 2 of the Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships. Amelia Rowe executed a brilliant 400m final after clinching multiple records as part of the state’s Under 20 4x100m relay.While in the field Jackson Hamilton extended his impressive run of results with a win in the Men’s Open Ambulant Javelin final.

Amelia Rowe (Brian Pozzi) has delivered the race of her life to win the Women’s Under 20 400m National title besting an incredibly stacked field of runners. Producing a massive personal best, Rowe’s dominant final 50m was unstoppable and saw the Tracksters' athlete cross in 53.09.

“The year has been insane, I started this season with a PB of 58. I don’t know where to start, it’s been the best season of my life and I’m just really happy to be here.”

“I wasn’t expecting [the 53.09], given the field I thought I would PB, but not like that.  It means everything to produce that result. I wanted this more than I want to breathe. This was such a strong field, and I knew they could find another gear, so I just aimed to do it faster.”

Rowe’s 53.09 rockets her up the Australian rankings and has her primed for selection in the upcoming World Athletics Under 20 Championships.

Before her solo title, Rowe was part of the blitzing Under 20 Women's 4x100m that delivered an incredible win for the state. Anchored by recent Australian Under 20 4x100m record breaker Olivia Dodds, the team was formidable from the gun. A flashing start from Evelyn John Jimmy saw the team lead alongside New Zealand. A solid middle phase from Rowe and Grace Ainsworth set up Dodds for a flying final 100m. Blasting down the home straight, Dodds crossed the line in 45.29 for the team to set a new Championship, State Under 20 and State Open Record.

Jackson Hamilton (Morgan Ward) has continued his impressive run of performances with a win in the Open Men’s Ambulant Javelin final. Adding another Paralympic A qualifier to his name, Hamilton’s 64.68m secured him the title with 91.08% of the baseline system.

“Today was good, I was happy with it. It wasn’t quite my PB, but given the circumstances with the wind, I am happy with the performance. I know that there is more there, so lots to take out of the competition in terms of work to do before Kobe,” said Hamilton.

“The plan from here is to medal at Kobe and Paris. So I’m just going to keep training, stay healthy and keep enjoying the sport.”

Emma Gabbitus (Luke Cann) kept the medals coming with a personal best performance in the Women’s Under 20 Javelin final. Gabbitus launched into the medals with a throw of 46.42m to secure bronze. While in the Women’s Under 20 Pole Vault final, Leila Barker cleared 3.70m to win bronze on countback.

Another day of impressive qualifying rounds saw WA athletes progress through to Saturday and Sunday. Olivia Dodds (Lyn Foreman), Taylah Cruttenden (Russell Mathanda), Leah O’Brien (Braiden Clarke), Thomas Moorcroft (Ben Green) and Peter Bol (Justin Rinaldi) are through to the next round of the competition.

World Championship medallist Kurtis Marschall will be joined by Jack Downey in the Men’s Pole Vault final on Sunday, with Cruz Hogan (Morgan Ward) comfortably progressing through to the Men's Open Javelin and Josh Hook (Ebony Talbert) through to the 400m Hurdles final. 

The schedule and entries for Open and Under 20 events can be found on Roster Athletics here.

The 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships will be held from Thursday 11 April to Friday 19 April at the South Australia Athletics Stadium in Adelaide. Spectators can purchase tickets for the four-day Championships HERE.

You can follow all the athletics action for the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships via Athletics West’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information about how you can get started in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or email admin@athleticswest.com.au.

By David Smith, Athletics West

Posted 12 April 2024