Athletics New Zealand Media Release - Weekly Roundup

AUCKLAND

NORTH ISLAND COLGATE GAMES

Over 1600 athletes from throughout the North Island enjoyed three days of outstanding athletics at Mt Smart Stadium.

Dalton Coppins of Papakura highlighted the boys 14 sprints.

Coppins matched evenly with Thomas Martin of Christchurch held on to win the 200m in a personal best 22.57s and the 100m in 11.17s. Martin however had the edge over Coppins over the longer distance winning the 400m in a personal best 51.26s. Coppins was equally impressive time wise clocking 51.82s. Martin was second in the 100m in 11.37s and in the 200m recording 23.06s.

Coppins, who found a bit extra over the final 25 metres of the 100m said that he was “a bit puffed” after crossing the line.

“I thought I would just dig in, dig deep and go for gold,” he said.

An initial false start to the 100m final made him “a bit nervous”.

After three days of racing Coppins was also on the boarder line of an injury.

“I had a bit of an Achilles tendon trouble, but a massage before the 100m final made me fine for the race,” said Coppins.

Merewarihi Vaka of Papakura won the throwing field events in the girls 14 with 14.14m in the shot put and 40.47m in the discus.

The Tau twins from Titahi Bay had a mortgage over the boys 11 sprints, Mafutaga Tau winning the 100m in 12.28s, the 200m in 25.79s and the 400m in 60.89s. His brother Fa’aolataga was second on each occasion.

Jesse Bryant of Christchurch looks to have a good future in the jumping events after easily winning the boys 14 long jump clearing 6.99m and reaching up to 1.83m in the high jump.

Andrew Muggeridge of Hinemoa showed great style in the boys 14 middle distance running events with wins in the 800m in 2m 4.39s and the 1500m in 4m 26.43s.

Robyn Engels of Putararu, who trains with New Zealand sprint champion and representative at last year’s world championships in Berlin Monique Williams, won the girls 13 100m in 12.63s and the 200m in 26.27s.

Madison Gipson of North Shore won the 80m hurdles in the girls 14 as well as the 200m and took a second in the 100m.

Two excellent performances were put up by Meg Skilton of Te Aroha in the girls 12 800m in 2m 19.79s and also in the girls 12 by Kara MacDermid of Palmerston North running 4m 50.87s for 1500m. Zara Murrihy of Taumarunui won the girls 13 1500m in 4m 53.26s, while David Lee had the boys 13 1500m to himself in 4m 31.64s.

WAITAKERE

Oceania race walking trophy 20km trial

Fifty eight year old Eric Kemsley of New Plymouth triumphed in the Oceania race walking trophy 20km trial at the Douglas Track in Henderson Sunday morning.

Kemsley needed to finish in the first two or walk quicker than 1h 50m to make the New Zealand team to the test match to be held in Hobart Tasmania on 13 February.

The sprightly Kemsley did it on both counts, after the first walker to finish Quentin Rew of Hastings was red carded on crossing the finish line having received three warnings.

Kemsley is looking forward to representing New Zealand, possibly the oldest ever to wear the black uniform in athletics in open competition.

"I've made it by 25 seconds, I'm pleased about that - here we come, Tasmanian Devil look out," said Kemsley.

"It was hard grafting out on the track, it was hot and I was hoping for a little bit quicker than that, but I am happy to have got under 1h 50m," he added.

Michael Parker of Auckland was second in 1h 51m 30s with Hasting's Graeme Jones third in 1h 53m 58s.

Rew, who recorded a time of 1h 35m 46s, said it was a learning experience for him.

"I had two warnings on my left knee and also a lifting warning, I'll work on these and may be better next time," he said.

The national 10km, 20km and 50km walking champion will compete in Hobart either as a selected team member or as an individual. He also hopes to walk in the world cup in Mexico in May and long term has his sights set on the Commonwealth Games in October.

Kate Newitt of Christchurch won the women's trial in 1h 48m 49s, beating Otago's Rosie Robinson by over three minutes. Alana Barber of Auckland was third in 1h 56m 33s. Three weeks ago Newitt (19) set a New Zealand women's 19 10km track record.

"This was my first 20km I've done, I just wanted to finish it and win," said a delighted Newitt.

Result:

Men.-

Eric Kemsley (New Plymouth) 1h 49m 35s 1, Michael Parker (Akld) 1h 51m 30s 2, Graeme Jones (Hastings) 1h 53m 58s 3, David Sim (Akld) 1h 57m 39s 4, Russell Smyth (Hamilton) 2h 3m 49s 5.

Women.-

Kate Newitt (Christchurch) 1h 48m 49s 1, Rosie Robinson (Dunedin) 1h 52m 0s 2, Alana Barber (Akld) 1h 56m 33s 3, Kelly Mabbett (Hamilton) 2h 1m 51s 4, Nyle Sunderland (Nelson) 2h 3m 20s 5, Sue Hoskin (Palmerston North) 2h 10m 8s 6.

WELLINGTON – 9 January 2010

Alex Fafeita from Carterton captured the M16 throwing events winning the discus 43.73m, the javelin 40.46m and the hammer 43.36m. Billy Crayford was over the high jump at 2.04m, Scott Thomson was out to 13.42m (-1.2) in the M19 triple jump, Richard Thomson won the shot put with 14.44m and Peter Baillie recorded 26m 40.96s in the M60 5000m track walk. Michael Wilson won the 200m in 22.32s (-1.2), Hamish Carson the 1500m in 3m 59.58s and Barbara Roy the W19 1500m in 4m 38.74s.

CHRISTCHURCH – 9 January 2010

Dallas Bowden won the 3000m in 8m 21.53s, from Mark Bailey 8m 30.50s, Tom Osborne 8m 32.05s, Harry Dixon 8m 34.63s, Richard Bennett set a New Zealand Masters M45 record of 8m 43.04s and Angus Taylor 8m 54.15s.

Nicola Hely won the 100m 12.37s (-0.3) and 200m 25.20s (-1.0). Fiona Morrison was over the 100m hurdles in 14.84s (-0.4), Annabelle Coates was out to 5.58m (+1.1) in the long jump, Andrea Vigers threw the hammer 44.39m and Rebecca Hodgson 44.90m in the W16 hammer. Scott Walker (17) won the 100m in 11.04s (+0.1), Tim Jones the 200m in 22.37s (-3.1) while Hayden Hall won the M16 javelin with 42.15m and threw the discus 42.71m.

US COLLEGE INDOOR SEASON – Selected result

Eastern Michigan Invitational in Ypsilanti, Brendan Blacklaws third in the 800m in 1m 55.74s.

VALERIE VILI A FINALIST FOR NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Valerie Vili has been selected as one of three finalists for the New Zealander of the Year Award to be announced at a dinner in Auckland on 3 February.

Vili has been named along with The Warehouse founder Sir Stephen Tindall and scientist and inventor Ray Avery for the prestigious award.

Vili’s achievements on the international sporting stage and her contribution to the community in New Zealand have been an inspiration for all New Zealanders. The Olympic and World shot put champion has made a significant contribution to the nation in her pursuit for excellence in everything that she commits herself to. Also her sporting achievements have developed her into being a leader and role model for all New Zealanders.