2025 AUSTRALIAN OPEN AND U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS | DAY TWO RECAP

The state’s growing depth across disciplines was on full display on Day 2 of the Australian Open & Under 20 Athletics Championships with Reese Prior and Jonathan Waddingham leading the charge for WA and claiming national titles.

Commonwealth Youth Games medallist Reese Prior took out the top spot in the Women’s Under 20 Para Long Jump final. Prior leapt 4.22m (0.9) to secure 76.58% of the baseline score and claim the Australian championship title. While, Australian record holder Joshua Reeve delivered an impressive performance in hot conditions, claiming silver in the Men’s Under 20 1500m with a time of 4:25.29 for 85.86% of the baseline score.

Jonathan Waddingham capitalised on the home-field advantage to win a toughly fought Men’s Under 20 High Jump competition. The West Australian was the sole jumper over 2.06m and kept the crowd waiting, clearing it on his third and final attempt.

World Under 20 representative Alexandra Griffin returned to the Australian podium with a solid Open Women’s 10,000m Race Walk performance. Up against Paris 2024 fourth-place finisher Lorena Arenas (Columbia), Griffin crossed the line in 47:33.67 to secure bronze, with Arenas getting line honours in a new WA All-Comers record of 44:17.50.

After two massive days of competition, Rylan Scott left the best for last and was able to clinch a medal in the Men’s Under 20 Decathlon. Scott entered the final event of the day as the fourth Australian in the points but was able to leap back onto the podium and claim bronze with 6,183 points.

Out in the field, Olivia Williams was calm under pressure and saved the best for last in the Women’s Under 20 Javelin final. Throwing a massive personal best of 44.49m, Williams was about to clinch the Australian bronze medal over fellow WA thrower Emma Gabbitus by only 8 centimetres.

WA’s relay success continued with the Under 20 Men’s team securing bronze in the 4x100m final. The combination of Thomas Smith, Noah Hugo, Harry McCabe and Thomas McGregor secured third in 43:05.

Paris 2024 Olympian Alanah Yukich is primed to challenge Sarah Carli for the Women’s Australian Open 400m Hurdles title on Sunday after a dominant performance in the heats. While in the Men’s competition Joshua Hook was the sole West Australian to progress and will take on the country’s best.

Kurtis Marschall will go for gold in the Men’s Open Pole Vault on Sunday after cruising through the qualifying round. The three-time Olympian will be joined by fellow WA athletes Jack Downey and Benjamin Conacher.

Some blistering 100ms dominated the evening session on Day 2 of the Open Championships, with WA securing several spots in the Semi-Finals. Christopher Geordas was the state’s only male to progress, but WA’s women delivered en masse. Teen sensation Leah O’Brien will be joined by Taylah Cruttenden, Annie Pfeiffer, Olivia Dodds, and 15-year-old Kate Philpott in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Fan favourite Peter Bol made light work of the opening round of the Men’s 800m, securing his spot in the semi-finals, with fellow West Australian Thomas Moorcroft also progressing. Rebekah Newton will contest a fast-flying 800m final on Sunday after securing her spot with a personal best of 2:04.45 in the heats.

Amelia Rowe continues to excel on home soil and will go for gold in the Women’s Under 20 400m final after a flying final 100m secured her spot.

Newly crowned sprint stars Josiah John and Emilia Reed made light work of their Under 200m heats, with both athletes cruising through to Saturday’s final.

World Championship representative Cruz Hogan launched a season-best throw of 72.42m in the opening round of the Open Men’s Javelin to secure his spot for Sunday.

The 2025 Australian Athletics Championships is the final stop of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series and is supported by the WA Government through Tourism Western Australia, Venues West and Athletics West. 

Tickets can be purchased HERE. 

You can follow all the athletics action from the 2025 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 11 April 2025