Australian Performances at the 2019 NCAA Championships, Texas

The national championships for the US College system saw some outstanding results from Australia’s athletes. 

On day one, defending 1500m champion Ollie Hoare progressed easily into the final (3:44.25), where he was joined by Mick Stanovsek and Cameron Griffith (former school mate of Hoare at Trinity Grammar in Sydney). Mick clocked 3:44.50 and Cameron 3:44.62. It was a repeat of the 2018 achievement for the three athletes, who all made the final last year.

In the decathlon, Victorian and World U20 Championships silver medallist, Gary Haasbroek, was in sixth place with 3,998 points after day one. His performances: 11.09, 7.40m, 12.39m, 1.95m and 49.05. The in-form Ed Trippas unfortunately didn’t qualify for the steeple final and Chris Douglas ran 53.15 in the 400m hurdles.

On day two, defending NCAA 1,500m champion Jessica Hull (NSW) progressed comfortably into the final, winning her heat in 4:12.02. WA’s Brianna Ilarda progressed into the 3000m steeplechase final, clocking 10:00.39, while QLD’s Mackenzie Andrews missed the steeple final with a time of 10:46.23.

There was disappointment in the decathlon, with Melbourne’s World U20 Championships silver medallist, Gary Haasbroek, not heighting in the decathlon pole vault. He had commenced day two with 14.81 (1.1) in the 110H and 37.83m in the discus.

South Australian Izzi Batt-Doyle claimed bronze in the 10,000m Championship. In the lead group throughout the race, she was third at the bell, and ran on for a medal in a time of 33:17.81.

Australia won three medals, including two gold, on day three of the NCAA Championships. Morgan McDonald led nearly every step of the 5,000m to claim the title in 14:06.01. It sealed an outstanding NCAA season where he has won the cross country and indoor 3000m/ 5000m double. He becomes just the third athlete in NCAA history to win a title at all three championships.

Earlier in the day, Mackenzie Little defended her javelin title with a throw of 59.40m - the third longest of her career. She comfortably won by 3.04m. She is just the third Australian to defend a NCAA title. The two wins were the 21st and 22nd titles won by Australia at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, first held in 1921 (men) and 1982 (women).

In the men’s 1,500m four Aussies placed in the top-10, with Cameron Griffith winning bronze in 3:42.14 to defeat former Trinity Grammar school mate and defending champion Ollie Hoare, who was fourth in 3:42.29. Jack Anstey was seventh in 3:42.73 and Mick Stanovsek 10th in 3:45.64.

Three athletes were in action on the fourth and final day of the NCAA Championships, which were held in hot conditions. Defending 1,500m champion Jessica Hull ran a fantastic race to place second in a two second personal best time of 4:06.27, securing the Doha IAAF World Championships qualifier in the process. She also jumped up the Australian all-time list from 17th to 10th.

In the 5,000m, Jess Pascoe ran a very determined race remaining in the lead pack until the bell, but struggled on the last lap to place ninth in 16:17.82. She closes the year having set personal best times in the mile, 1,500m, 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m.

Perth’s Bri Ilarda placed 10th in the 3000m steeplechase, clocking 10:11.63 and capping a fine season where she has set personal best times in the mile, 3,000m, 2,000m steeple and 3,000m steeple - 9:50.42 (8th all-time).