DAY FOUR RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dominating both in the field and on the track, WA collected 15 medals and four National titles as the WA athletes secured their most successful day at the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships so far. 

Day Four started with a complete sweep of medals in the Women’s Under 15 Javelin throw competition. In a field of 19, Gemma Buckle threw four personal bests to claim the gold with a throw of 39.72m, Ella Harbison cleared 38.73m to secure silver, while Lauren Kelly added bronze to her collection with a best of 37.98m.

“I didn’t even expect to be here a few years ago, so I was happy just to make it into the top eight. To win is pretty good and to have Ella and Lauren on the podium feels good. ” Buckle said.

Leah O’Brien pulled off the 100m-200m double with a masterclass performance in the Women’s Under 15 200m. A powerful bend saw the West Track athlete enter the straight in the lead, which she extended down the home straight, crossing the line in 24.66 (0.3).

“Very happy with the run. The start was better today and I was able to just focus on myself. I try and make my bends strong, and today I was able to pull away in the final 100m which felt really good.” O’Brien said.

Gold continued to be the medal of choice for WA out in the field with Olivia Williams and Brayden Phillips claiming Australian titles in the Under 16 and Under 15 Javelin competitions respectively. Williams threw 44.77m to claim her title, while fellow West Australian Emma Kempson secured bronze with a throw of 42.43m. In the Men’s Under 15 Championships Brayden Phillips produced a huge final throw of 49.61m to move up into first over WA’s Teoman Demir, who collected silver with a best of 47.65m.

In the afternoon, the Under 20 400m Hurdlers added to WA’s medal haul in style. Ashley Spencer reminded the Australian selectors why she should be Cali bound. Spencer crossed the line in a World Under 20 qualifying time of 60.36 to claim the silver medal. While James Kiely pulled together an impressive finals performance to secure the bronze in the Men’s Under 20 competition with a time of 55.25.

WA saw a rush of medals in the Under 16 800m Finals with some sensational finishes. Isabella Bidesi’s late kick saw her claim bronze in 2:10.15. While in the Men’s, a sensational flash home by  Jonah Hanikeri and Benjamin Patterson saw the boys collect silver and bronze in 1:58.94 and 1:59.39 respectively

The Under 14 Women continued to impress with Sophie Williams coming from behind in the Women’s 200m to clinch bronze in 26.30 (0.2). While Palace Koia added another medal to her 2022 Australian Championships campaign with a silver in the Women’s Under 14 Discus to round out WA’s medal haul on Day Four.

Day Five Preview

Following a successful campaign by WA’s Junior Athletes, WA’s Open Athletes will return to Sydney Olympic Park tomorrow as they look to confirm their selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.

Nina Kennedy and Liz Parnova will be the first of WA’s Olympians to compete in the qualifying round of the Women’s Open Pole Vault. Kennedy broke the Australian Record at Sydney Olympic Park 12 months ago and will be aiming to replicate that on Wednesday.

Paralympic Bronze Medallist Sarah Edmiston will kick things off in the throws when she unleashes in the Women’s Discus Ambulant final. At 45 years of age, Edmiston is showing no signs of slowing down and has been setting new personal, Australian and Oceania bests throughout the WA Domestic Season.

Recent World Athletics Indoor Championship Finalist Matthew Ramsden will launch his campaign on Day Five with the first round of the Men’s 1500m. As one of the only Australian Athletes to set multiple Olympic Qualifiers and miss out on selection, Ramsden is set to make sure selectors don’t make the same mistake in 2022.

In the Juniors, Olivia Dodds will be looking to cap off her breakout season with a golden Australian Championships and will open her campaign in the Under 17 Women’s 100m. Robert Marchesi Scott will be one to watch in the Shot Put Under 18 competition, while Anais Fitzpatrick will line up in the Under 17 Women’s Pole Vault. 

To keep up with all of the action from the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track & 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.

By David Smith, Athletics West
Posted: 29/3/2022