DAY TWO RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

A rainy Sunday didn’t deter WA’s best as Leah O’Brien and Sophie Williams claimed National Titles, WA's Under 14 Girls pulled together a golden relay, and Etienne Rousseau dazzled out in the field on Day Two of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships.  

Leah O’Brien returned to Sydney Olympic Park determined to replicate her 2021 success and claim the Under 15 100m title. Winning her heat in 12.29 (-0.3), O’Brien progressed through to the Final alongside fellow West Australian Jessica Hanney. A slower start in the Final meant O’Brien had to work hard to build up through the closing 80m before stretching ahead in the final 20m to cross the line in 12.04 (1.3).

“I didn't think I was going to win. I don't know if I folded under pressure, sometimes my starts don't process fast enough, so I had some work to do in the backend. But excited to get the win, with a good start, I think I can do sub 12. ” O’Brien said.

"I feel very proud to win [the National title] back to back. The third time will hopefully be in front of friends and family back in Perth next year."

Sophie Williams backed up her busy Day One schedule with a sensational Under 14 Triple Jump performance to collect WA’s first National title of 2022. Clearing 11.03m on her opening jump, Williams set a new official personal best to win gold.

“It felt great to get 11.03m on the first jump, it was lots of fun and exciting to win after being so close to the podium [in the 100m].” Williams said.

Williams returned later in the day for the Women’s Under 14 4x100m Relay alongside Kate Philpott, Palace Koia and Tolu Timeyin. The girls had a solid start but were under pressure from the Victorians throughout the first two handoffs. A poor final transition by Victoria offered WA a chance to pounce and with a smooth handoff between Timeyin and Williams, WA stormed home to claim gold in 50.24.

Out in the field, Australia’s best Under 20 Discus throwers unleashed in wet and windy conditions. The men had more than just the gold on the line, with all of them in the hunt for the auto-selection into the National team bound for Columbia. Rousseau was only one of two athletes to have the World Under 20 qualifier and a huge opening throw of 52.98m made his intentions clear. Going toe to toe with South Australia’s Darcy Miller, Rousseau was able to better his mark to 54.43m and collect silver.

The afternoon session was kick-started with a slew of medals on the track. John Ronan secured silver in the Men's Under 16 3000m Walk, while Palace Koia and Ben O'Sullivan collected bronzes in the Under 14 Women's 80m Hurdles and Under 14 Men's 1500m respectively. 

Day Three Preview

Annie Pfeiffer will lead things off on the track after progressing through to the Under 20 Women’s 400m Final and be aiming to collect another World Under 20 qualifier. While Ashley Spencer will look to add to her World Under 20 Qualifier from a few weeks ago when she lines up in the first round of the Under 20’s 400m Hurdles.

2022 National Medallists Lauren Kelly, Leah O’Brien, Sophie Williams, Palace Koia and Harry Gordon will also return to Sydney Olympic Park as they aim to add more silverware to their collection.

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