DAY SEVEN RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Kennedy, Parnova and Ramsden headlined a massive Day Seven at the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships in Sydney.

Nina Kennedy has reclaimed the Australian Open Women’s Pole Vault title and secured her seat for the World Athletics Championships in Oregon. The Australian Record holder has returned in style after having to withdraw from the World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier in March. Working off a shorter run-up, Kennedy won the title in just five jumps and let out the night’s loudest celebration to win the competition with a best clearance of 4.35m.

“I’m feeling good, happy with the win. I feel a bit emotional. With the qualifying going for three hours and then tonight went for ages, I’m just drained.” Kennedy said.

“That scream at the end just represented everything coming together. I came here to win off a short run and I did it. I did my job and won.”

With her ticket now booked to Oregon, Kennedy will head back to Perth and rebuild for the World Athletics Championships later in the year.

“From here the focus is on building up training more. I am building up, I’m on a short approach and I’ve had a few niggles so just getting back into training and getting back to those longer approaches. Then World Championships, so all steam ahead to that.”

Adding to the evening celebrations, Liz Parnova returned to the medal dais for the Women’s Open Pole Vault alongside Kennedy. Parnova jumped 4.20m to win silver alongside South Australia’s Jamie Scroop on countback.  

In the Men’s Open 1500m, Matthew Ramsden was out front with Oliver Hoare as both men battled for their inaugural Open 1500m title. A quick race from the outset, Ramsden looked strong over the first 900m, sitting on Hoare’s shoulder. In the closing lap, Ramsden tried to answer Hoare’s kick but had to settle for silver in 3:41.43.

Taylah Cruttenden once again lined up in the Open Women’s 100m Final to reaffirm her status as one of Australia’s fastest women. Running 11.51(2.4) in the Semi-Final, Cruttenden flashed across the line in 11.62(1.1) to finish fifth in the race and fourth overall by an Australian.

Jack Whiteside kickstarted WA’s Pole Vault run of medals with a win in the Under 18 Men’s Pole Vault. Clearing 4.45m and nail-bitingly close to 4.60m, Whiteside has made huge strides since picking up the sport only seven months ago.

“I’m happy with Australian Number One. I’m stoked, I know 4.60 is there.  I definitely warmed into my jumps and got there in the end. I was just going for gold. ” Whiteside said.

Rhiannon Clarke and Ella Pardy returned to Sydney Olympic Park and once again stepped up onto the podium in the Women’s 100m Ambulant Final. Clarke took line honours in a time of 13.11(+1.8) and won the silver medal, while Pardy secured the bronze medal in a time of 13.62.

Declan Somers opened WA’s medal campaign on Day Seven with a cracking race in the Men’s Under 17 2000m Steeplechase. Somers looked solid throughout but broke away and started to edge clear of the competition just past the halfway mark. Crossing the line with one of the Championship’s more theatrical celebrations, Somers claimed the title in 6:09.78.

WA’s success in the Steeplechase continued with Tom Millard in the Under 18 2000m Steeplechase Final, collecting silver in a time of 6:09.67.

Rounding out the night, Jessica Bell added to WA’s growing Javelin medal tally with a bronze in the Open Women’s Javelin throw with a clearance of 50.86m.

While, Emma Gabbitus claimed WA’s first field medal of the day with bronze in the Under 17 Women’s Javelin with a throw of 45.40m.

Day Eight Preview

The penultimate day of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships will see more of WA’s best hit the track as the Open competition comes to a close at Sydney Olympic Park.

Peter Bol will headline for Western Australian as the Tokyo Olympian aims to once again claim the Australian Title in the Open Men's 800m and secure his spot for the upcoming World Athletics Championships. 

Matthew Ramsden returns to the track on Saturday night for the Open Men’s 5000m Final. Fresh off his silver in the Men’s Open 1500m Final, Ramsden will go for gold as he looks to improve on his Friday night performance.

Fresh off his 7^th place at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, Kurtis Marschall will be looking for some big heights in the Open Men’s Pole Vault Final. Joined by WA’s Angus Armstrong, Marschall will be looking to reclaim the Australian title on Saturday night.

“I haven’t won the National Championships in a few years, so keen to rewin that and continue jumping well. Big jumps are on the way, so Saturday should be good.” Marschall said.

While in the Junior competition, Olivia Dodds will headline for WA as she enters her pedigree event, the 200m. Contesting the Under 17 Championships, Dodds has run five World Under 20 qualifiers in the 200m and has a season-best of 23.91.

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: 1/4/2022