Rising talent close of Australian Track and Field Championships

The 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships have drawn to a close, but not without more junior athletes making their mark on the sport on the final day of competition.

Rising middle distance star of the Under 17 age group, Kiara Flavell (VIC) stood atop of the podium after running two laps of the track, in an attempt to follow the glittering career of her Paralympian parents, 1500m runner Patricia Whitaker and Paralympic javelin champion Anton Flavell.

While it was a slow start for the pedigree athlete, Flavell surged to the front of the pack in her second lap and crossed the line first to claim her maiden national title.

“I was at the back for the first bit which was a bit tough but I managed to pull through in the second lap. I was a bit nervous at the start but I’ve definitely been training to push on and not really think about falling back,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it in the end, I just freaked out. I was so pleased with myself because I wasn’t expecting that outcome but it happened.”

Arguably one of Queensland’s most promising young prospects, Torrie Lewis (QLD) achieved the sprint double today, after asserting her authority in the Under 17 women’s 200m event today. Running 23.38 (1.9) for a season’s best, Lewis locked in her third qualifying time for the World Under 20 Championships, while Olivia Rose Inkster (NSW) and Emma Lee (NSW) both dipped under the qualifying time, clocking 23:38 and 23:82 respectively.

Amy Bunnage (VIC) put her competitors on notice, finishing the 3000m 19 seconds ahead of her fastest competitors in the Under 17 age group. While her 9:26.70 is just over a second shy of the World Under 20 Championships qualifying time, she has previously set qualifying standards in both the 3000m and 1500m, setting herself up for potential selection onto the 2021 team.

The future of Australian pole vault is bright, with Elyssia Kenshole (VIC) jumping for the second time at the Championships after placing fourth in the Open event with a vault of 4.10m. While she couldn’t quite replicate the result two days later, her jump of 4.07m awarded her gold and added another qualifying standard to her list of achievements over the season.

After being disqualified earlier in the week in his Under 20 200m heat, Ashley Wong came back with a vengeance in the men’s Under 18 event. Not only did the Queenslander win gold in the event, he fought back with a World Under 20 Championships qualifier, posting a 21.39 (1.1) time – his first in the event.

Under 17 Triple Jump star Tiana Boras (VIC) secured her third World Under 20 Championships qualifier and a season’s best performance, when she jumped 13.05m (1.0) in the Under 17 event. Most impressively, she jumped 1.01m further than rival Sienna Bond (NSW) and Nancy Agostino (VIC) showing her star is certainly rising, with still a few years to go before she hits the senior ranks.

To see the full results from all eight days of the 2021 Australian Track and Field Championships, visit: http://athletics.resultshub.com.au/

By Sascha Ryner
Posted: 19/4/2021