DAY SIX RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Day Six of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Track and Field Championships saw WA's women once again dominate the medal tally with Alexandra Griffin, Niamh Mac Alasdair and Madison de Rozario both collecting National titles.

The best junior 5000m female walkers were tested in the Under 17 and 18 Final with weather conditions shifting throughout the race and strong headwinds causing havoc. However, WA’s Alexandra Griffin was a class above. Use to the Fremantle Doctor’s battering winds at the WA Athletics Stadium, Griffin looked composed and unaffected as she powered across the line in 24:03.15.

“Today I was really just focused on walking, I didn’t really want to think about the times. So I put my head down and just kept going.” Griffin said.

“The rain didn’t really bother me, the biggest thing was the wind. However, I was pretty prepared because of the similar conditions on the back straight in Perth.”

Madison de Rozario had a solid hit out in the Women’s Open 1500m Wheelchair Final winning the National title in 4:08.21. While in the Men’s Open 1500m Wheelchair Final, Cory Crombie had a well-paced race to win bronze in 4:20.79.

Niamh Mac Alasdair collected WA’s first medal of the day with a silver in the Under 20 Women’s Para Long Jump with a best leap of 3.66m. Mac Alasdair backed up her WA debut in the field with a cracking run in the Under 20 Women’s 100m to claim her second silver of the day in 15.51(-0.8). However, Niamh kept her best result till last with a gold in the Under 20 Women's 400m Para, crossing the line in 77.83 to secure her first National title.

WA’s first track medal of the day came in sensational fashion in the Men’s Under 17 1500m Final. In the closing lap, Ky Hehir had to move out into lane four in order to flash home down the straight and dip on the line to clinch the bronze in 4:09.34.

Olivia Dodds returned to Sydney Olympic Park hot off her 100m National title for the Under 17 100m Hurdles. Much like her 100m Final, Dodds faced a strong headwind but was able to secure bronze in 14.03(-0.6).

Finally, Robert Marchesi-Scott wrapped up WA’s medal campaign on Day Six with a bronze in the Men’s Under 18 Discus with a best throw of 52.98m.

Day Seven Preview

Open Finals are set to dominate Day Seven with WA well represented on the track and in the field.

Matthew Ramsden will go for gold in the Men’s Open 1500m Final. Bound to be one of the Championship's highlight events, Ramsden cruised through to the Final but will be facing tough competition from Oliver Hoare to win the National title.

“The weather in Sydney looks poor, so you don’t know how the race will go. It could be quick like last year or a sit and kick. I don’t know, but either way, I’m ready.” Ramsden said.

The fastest men and women in Australia will be looking to claim the 2022 100m title on Friday night. Taylah Cruttenden has progressed through to tomorrow afternoon’s Semi-Finals before the top 8 go head-to-head later in the evening.

While out in the field, WA’s Pole Vaulters will look to claim the Women’s Open title with Nina Kennedy, Liz Parnova, Ellie Parsons and Olivia Gross all on the start list. Young gun Michael Christie will contest the Men’s Open High Jump Final in the early afternoon.

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: 31/3/2022