COOL CONDITIONS UNABLE TO STOP WA’S BEST FROM SHINING

Despite rainy and overcast conditions at the WA Athletics Stadium, nothing could stop WA’s best from delivering the goods on Day Three of the WA State Track & Field Championships powered by Go For 2&5. A stellar showing on the track was dominated by World Under 20 hopefuls Amelia Rowe, Danielle Graham, and Ky Hehir, while out-of-towners produced some magic in the 100m finals.  

400m runner Amelia Rowe has continued to impress on the big stage with the Tracksters athlete backing up a breakout season. Stepping up to the Open competition, Rowe claimed the 400m title in emphatic style to best Australian representative Annie Pfeiffer and UWA’s Rebekah Newton in a World Under 20 qualifier of 54.91.  

“I’m really excited that I ran a good time tonight, it was my second fastest time. I’m really hoping to produce something similar when the 200m’s get underway tomorrow.” Rowe said.  

While in the Open Men’s 400m, Adam Kopp and Josh Hook lived up to expectations with the duo battling it out. Kopp and Hook entered the final 100m shoulder-to-shoulder, but it was the veteran Kopp who found the all-important fifth gear. Powering home to claim his seventh Open 400m final, Kopp crossed the line in 47.00 and Hook in 47.59. 

Danielle Graham delivered a sensational win in the Under 18 Women’s 1500ms final to not only post her fastest 1500m time in three years, but also clinch her first World Under 20 Championships Qualifier in a time of 4:27.23.  

“It feels absolutely surreal, I still can’t believe it. I’m very thankful, it’s been a long time coming so I’m very excited,” Graham said.  

“I ran my 4:29.49 when I was in the Under 15’s so I knew I could do it again. It’s been a rocky few years so I’m happy to finally be in good shape and to be getting the good times now.”  

2023 Commonwealth Youth Games representative Ky Hehir held his own in a tightly fought Open Men’s 1500m. An early kick over the last 400m wasn’t enough to best reigning champion Luke Burrows and Thomas Moorcroft, but the Perth Track and Field Athlete was able to clinch bronze and his second World Under 20 1500m Qualifier in 3:46.76. Burrows retained his State Championship title in 3:43.24, ahead of Moorcroft in 3:45.60 and Hehir.  

The Women’s Open 1500m delivered a flying final lap that saw UWA’s Keely Waters return the top of the podium for the first time since 2015. Lauren Hyde-Cooling and Kiarra Nazaroff looked all but set to take the top two places, however a patient and poised Waters pounced with 300m to go and chase down both to cross the line in 4:39.16. 

The Open Women’s 100m final thrilled fans with Danish athlete Klara Loessl pushing the field to its limits to win 11.85 (-0.1). WA’s Piper Cornelius fought hard to stay in touching distance of Loessl and collect her maiden WA Open state title in 12.12.  

Paris 2024 hopeful Jack Hale lead the way in the Men’s Open 100m to run an impressive 10.47 (-0.2) in cool conditions. Having set his two fastest 100m times at the WA Athletics Stadium, Hale did not disappoint and lead from Perth Track and Field’s Ethan Striegher, who claimed the state title in 10.66 (-0.2). 

Out in the field, Etienne Rousseau returned to secure his second state title of the Championships with another personal best performance. Contesting the Open Men’s Discus early in the Day Three schedule, Rousseau threw a personal best of 56.35m to claim the win.  

While Australian Paralympic Medallist Sarah Edmiston began her Paris 2024 preparations with a hit out in the Women’s Ambulant Discus final. The F44 Thrower launched 33.82m to secure gold as she prepares for a big year of competitions. 

Fans can watch the 2024 WA State Track & Field Championships powered by Go For 2&5 live, free and exclusive on Streamer, with Day Four set to stream from 8:20am.  

You can follow all of the athletics action via Athletics West’s Facebook & Instagram pages.. 

For more information on how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 0862720480. 

By David Smith and Dylan Gane, Athletics West

Posted 24 February 2024