Finals Time | Day 6 of the Australian Track and Field Championships

Day 6 of the 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials will witness many of Australia's elite athletes compete in pursuit of national titles and edge ever closer to Olympic and Paralympic berths in front of a packed crowd at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre. 

Men’s 100m:

“I want to win my first national title, it’s as simple as that.”

It’s the post-race quote from Rohan Browning (NSW) that tells you everything you need to know about the season he is having. Browning recently clocked the Olympic standard of 10.05 at the Queensland Track Classic and now has tunnel vision as he heads towards his maiden national title. The third fastest Australian of all time clocked a modest 10.39 (+0.1) en route to today’s semi final, with plenty up his sleeve for the two rounds to come. Jake Penny (VIC) bounced back from a disqualification in Queensland to win his heat and steer his season back on track, which at one point looked like career-best form – placing him in podium contention. Edward Osei-nketia (NZ) was a man on a mission in his heat and looks like he could challenge Browning in the final, whilst Jack Hale (TAS) recovered from a troublesome start to narrowly make the cut for the semi finals.

Women’s 100m:

Hana Basic (VIC) headlined a slick five heats of the Women’s 100m, exploding out of the blocks before winding down well before the line on her way to progressing to the semis. Basic is going to take some catching with her new personal best of 11.18, with main contenders coming in the form of Ebony Lane (VIC) and Bree Masters (QLD) – who returned to racing tonight after a long stint on the sidelines. Sophia Fighera (VIC) has flown under the radar this season and will be a factor in the rounds to come, as will Taylah Cruttenden (WA) who is backing up after her U20 title earlier in the week. 2019 champion Naa Anang (QLD) also impressed after an interrupted preparation. The semi final and final are set to be a showcase of the current crop of sprinting talent for women in Australia.

Women’s Pole Vault:

After knocking on the door for a number of years, 2021 will be remembered as the year Nina Kennedy (WA) burst onto the scene with an Australian record of 4.82m. An Australian title would be a fitting culmination of her domestic campaign, and her consistency suggests it’s only a matter of what height will be etched next to her name in the history books. Liz Parnov (WA) cleared 4.55m just last weekend to edge closer to her personal best of 4.60m from 2019, and she will be looking to record a solid batch of points as she heads towards Tokyo.

Men’s 400m:

Steve Solomon (NSW) looked like a Rolls Royce in his return to competition after a troublesome niggle, belting out the first 300m before floating down the home straight with his head on a swivel to clock 46.82. Meanwhile Alex Beck (QLD) looked sensational in his heat and was the fastest qualifier for the final, whilst Tyler Gunn (NSW) made light work of his first round encounter. The main battle in the final shapes as Solomon vs Beck, with Beck undoubtedly set to lift a gear with someone to chase. Solomon will run fast, very fast – that’s a given.

Women’s 400m:

They will all be chasing Bendere Oboya (NSW) in the final of the Women’s 400m, and good luck to them. Oboya is the premier 400m woman in the country for good reason and will be looking to build on her impressive resume. The 21-year-old is near unbeatable on the domestic scene, but if she is to take the next step on the international level she will need to find several extra tenths of a second.  Anneliese Rubie (NSW) looked closer to her form of old in her heat, winning with ease in a time of 53.24. Ellie Beer (Qld) also progressed to the final and the 18-year-old is more than capable at the Open age level, which will be on show tonight.

Men’s High Jump:

Brandon Starc (NSW) cleared 2.29m the last time he stepped onto the track at the Queensland Track Classic, narrowly missing the Olympic standard of 2.33m. Starc is Australia’s premier man in the event after a 6^th place finish at the 2019 World Championships, regularly taking care of business when competing within Australia. Fellow 2016 Olympian Joel Baden (VIC) will be looking to step onto the podium, whilst Oscar Miers (QLD) has cleared 2.25m this season.

Men’s Discus:

Matthew Denny (QLD) will do everything in his power to launch the discus over the Olympic standard in tonight’s discus final, having fallen just short in his limited opportunities this season to date. Denny has returned to show promising signs after an injury earlier in the season left him sidelined for four months and should only grow in confidence and power as his season rolls on.

Women’s 1500m:

When you clock an Australian record just weeks before the national championships and Olympic trials in what was largely a solo effort, you enter the national title bout as the firm favourite. Such is the case for Linden Hall (VIC), who recently became the first Australian woman to run sub four minutes in the 1500m with 3:59.67. Hall is likely to work alone off the front as she has done all season but will be pressured by a host of talent in hot pursuit. Genevieve Gregson (QLD) is never far away over 1500m and has stated her intentions to lower her 4:09.40 best significantly in due course. 5000m national champion Jenny Blundell (NSW) looked strong in her heat and when flexing her versatility. Lauren Ryan (VIC) certainly won’t hesitate in committing to a quick pace, with her 4:12.18 best a misleading indication of just how talented the 23-year-old is. Abbey Caldwell (VIC) has had a tremendous season to date which is highlighted by her 4:10.25 at the Canberra Track Classic, with the 19-year-old demonstrating on several occasions that she is not afraid to take on classy fields and dictate terms in her debut season in the Open ranks.

Women's 800m:

Catriona Bisset (VIC) had no troubles progressing to the final of the 800m, stepping on the accelerator with 150m to go to no reply from her competitors. Bisset has raced full of confidence this season to stamp her authority on the event, notably clocking her second Olympic qualifier of 1:59.12 at the Queensland Track Classic, with today’s final looming as just another race for the Australian record holder. Claudia Hollingsworth (VIC) raced aggressively in her heat to shake the field very early in the affair, switching it off and saving some cards for Sunday’s final. Bisset will not be leaving things to chance and her experience at the highest level holds her in good stead in this affair. Expect the two to finish in first and second place, with an tight contest for third between the rest of the field.

Women’s Javelin:

Kelsey-Lee Barber (ACT) has had a turbulent season to date but will be looking to hit her straps against the ever-rising crop of young talent in the event. The 2019 world champion is in the shape of her life physically and just needs to piece it together today to go well clear of her competitors. The experienced Kathryn Mitchell (ACT) will also stake her claim for the national title, with the two-time Olympian in promising form this season. The two will take on Mackenzie Little (NSW), Lianna Davidson (NSW) and Jess Bell (ACT), along with Under 20 Australian champion Mackenzie Mielczarek (VIC).

Women's Wheelchair 800m: 

Reinging world champion Madi de Rozario (WA) will be in action here and has been in fine form this season. de Rozario went agonisingly close to her own world record at the Canberra Track Classic in what was a monumental effort and she will be racing against the clock again as she tunes up for Tokyo. 

Men's Ambulant 100m: 

Chad Perris (ACT) is the major drawcard in this event, with Paralympic A qualfiers under his belt. 'The White Tiger' is set to tear down the straight and in a bid to secure the national title, and keep your eyes on any potential celebrations from the animated character. 

Women's Ambulant 100m: 

T35 sensation Isis Holt (QLD) headlines the Women's Ambulant 100m event, with the young talent recently bouncing back to form with a Parlympic A qualifier after a break from the sport. Rhiannon Clarke (WA) also has an A qualifer in her pocket in the T38 cateogry and will be a challenger for the title. Bella Pardy has a B qualifier in the T38 category and will be looking to upgrade that today. 

By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 17/4/2021