DAY ONE RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

A cold Day One saw the best from the west collect a handful of medals as the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships got underway at Sydney Olympic Park.

Taylah Cruttenden once again headlined the track for Western Australia on Day One. After a lightning-quick race at the Melbourne Track Classic last weekend, Cruttenden strolled into her sixth consecutive Junior National final ready to defend her Under 20 title. Easing up on the line of her heat, Cruttenden faced a packed field in the final with seven of the eight finalists entering the Championships with a World Under 20 qualifier to their name. Cruttenden left it all out on the track but was beaten on the line by Queensland’s Torrie Lewis to collect silver in a time of 11.62 (-0.9).

Sophie Williams and Josiah John also progressed to their respective 100m Finals. Williams had a packed schedule on Day One but made the most of her opportunities claiming fourth in the Women’s Under 14 100m in a time of 12.84. While in the Men’s Under 16 100m Final, John just missed out on the podium, crossing the line in 11.17 (-1.0) to secure fourth.  

WA’s first National medal came from Jonah Hanikeri in the Men’s Under 16 1500m with a gutsy run in the Final. Hanikeri baited his time before kicking in the last 400m, powering past the rest of the field and taking the lead in the final 200m. Unfortunately, a late resurgence by the NSW athlete meant Hanikeri had to settle for silver in a time of 4:03.30.

Out in the field, Ellie Parsons lead WA’s campaign with an entertaining Women’s Under 20 Pole Vault competition. Parsons made the final three, however, she had to fight it out in a jump-off to confirm the winner. After all three athletes fell short of the World Under 20 Qualifying height of 4.05m, Parsons collected silver with a best clearance of  3.95m.

Harry Gordon rounded out WA’s medal haul on Day One of the Championships with a bronze in the Men’s Under 14 3000m Race Walk, while Lauren Kelly won silver in the Women’s Under 15 Shot Put.

Day Two Preview

Day Two will see some of 2021’s National Champions return to Sydney Olympic Park with the likes of Leah O’Brien, John Ronan and Danielle Graham going for Gold.

Etienne Rousseau returns to the throwing circle for his pedigree event alongside Jackson Hamilton in the Under 20 Men's Discus. Rousseau is only one of two athletes to have passed the World Under 20 standard of 56.50, with tomorrow’s winner confirming their selection in the Australian Team.

Ethan Wyatt-Smith won his heat to progress to the Final of the Men’s Under 20 1500m alongside Luca di Toro. While Harry Gordon will return to the track for the Under 14 Men’s 400m after qualifying on Day One.

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: 27/3/2022