Athletics New Zealand - Weekly Roundup
UNITED STATES
IAAF Diamond League, New York – 12 June 2010
Olympic and World champion Valerie Vili returned to the winners circle with victory in the shot put at the Diamond League meeting in New York yesterday. Competing at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, Vili was out to 19.93m in round two to beat 2006 world indoor champion and Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist Natalya Khoroneko-Mikhnevich of Belarus who had a best throw of 19.80m. Vili was consistent throughout the six rounds. Her series was: 19.38m, 19.93m, 19.33m, 19.81m, 19.88m, 19.82m.
Vili has now taken the lead in the Diamond League rankings for the shot put.
39th New York Women’s 10km Road Race – 12 June 2010
Kimberley Smith finished fifth and Nina Rillstone 14th in the annual New York women’s 10km road race yesterday. Smith recorded a time of 32m 15s, with Rillstone finishing in 33m 44s. The first 5km came up in 15m 41s for Smith and 16m 34s for Rillstone.
Smith’s run came off a national record of 2h 25m 21s performance in the recent London marathon.
The race was won by Linet Masai of Kenya in 30m 48s, from Emily Chebet of Kenya 31m 13s and Worknesh Kidane of Ethiopia 31m 18s.
89th annual men and 29th annual women NCAA Div 1 Championships
Hayward Field, University of Oregon, Eugene Oregon – 9-12 June 2010
Holly Van Dalen 5000m final 11 June 7th 16m 6.77s, Paula Whiting 5000m final 15th 16m 15.41s, Lucy Van Dalen 1500m prelim 10 June 1st Ht 1 4m 13.19s Q, final 12 June 8th 4m 18.42s, David Ambler 4 x 100m relay for Florida State prelim 9 June 2nd Ht 2 39.30s Q, final 12 June 2nd 39.07s. Carl Mackenzie 1500m prelim 10 June Ht 1 DNF, Julian Matthews 1500m prelim 10 June 9th Ht1 3m 50.63s DNQ.
AUCKLAND
Teams Cross Country Champs, Manukau Velodrome – 12 June 2010
Alex Parlane, Annie Keown and Jonathan Jackson continued to dominate the Auckland cross country scene with wins at the annual teams cross country races around the park surrounding the Manukau Velodrome on Saturday.
Parlane from Pakuranga powered his way over the second half to head in Stephen Lett by over half a minute. Parlane recorded 33m 15s for the 10,000m. Liam Scopes recovered quickly from a fall during the race to claim third in 34m 20s.
Parlane said that the pace was solid from the start.
“Stephen was pushing it on the first lap and it was pretty quick, we got to the second lap and it slowed down a bit so I sort of wound it up a bit.
“I broke away and then tried to get a better win than last time,” said Parlane.
Auckland City Athletic Club won both the senior and masters men team races.
Keown faced a stronger field than in previous weeks and although she had control from the start, her winning margin was whittled away over the final lap by fast finishing Penny Peskett.
Keown finished the 6000m race in 22m 21s, nine seconds ahead of Peskett. Lisa Robertson was third in 22m 46s.
“It felt a little bit harder today,” said Keown.
“I had a bit more stiff competition with Penny Peskett and couple of others that hadn’t been at the other races, but it was still a good race,” she added.
Keown puts her rise in form to being able to have uninterrupted training over the last three months.
“I’ve been training hard for a while, just had a few problems in the summer that didn’t let it really happen then so I suppose it is all coming together now in the winter.”
Pakuranga were too strong winning both senior and master women in the teams race.
Jackson has now won three from three races in the M19 division this season. Jackson won from Michael Poole and Luke Longdill.
The fastest masters runners were Robbie Johnston and Michelle Hopkins. The junior teams races were shared by Auckland City and Pakuranga both winning four a piece.
WELLINGTON
Dorne Cup Cross Country, Trentham Memorial Park – 12 June 2010
James Coubrough won the men’s race from Stefan Smith covering the 8km in 25m 16s. Smith recorded 25m 39s, followed by Evan Cooper 25m 48s and Hamish Carson 26m 22s. Grant McLean was the first master in 27m 43s. Victoria Humphries headed in Tina Harris by four seconds in 23m 21s for the 6km and Stephanie Mackenzie in the women’s race. Virny Meijer-Korklass was the first master in 26m 4s. Matt Pavitt won the M19 4km in 12m 58s and Caroline Mellson the W19 4km in 14m 50s. The 16 winners were Kieran McDonald in 13m 26s for the 4km and Jean Cozniak in 14m 42s. Wellington Scottish won the senior men and women teams races with Masterton collecting the W19 and Wellington Harrier Athletic Club the M19.
NELSON
Winter Series, Saxton Field – 12 June 2010
Alex Jordan, 100m 11.0s (HT) (+0.4), 400m 49.0s (HT).
CHRISTCHURCH
Holloway Memorial Cross Country Races, Dixon’s Farm, West Eyreton – 12 June 2010
Phil Costley won the 12km senior race beating Carsten Jorgensen and Richard Bennett. Sarah McSweeney won the senior women’s 8km race heading in Aine Hoban and Fiona McGilroy.
Athletics Canterbury, Athlete of the Year Awards presented on Friday evening
Senior Non Stadia Athlete of the Year: Andrew Davidson.
Junior Non Stadia Athlete of the Year: Nicki McFadzien.
Secondary School Non Stadia Athlete of the Year: Margot Gibson.
Sprinter of the Year: Tim Jones. Hurdler of the Year: Georgina Allison.
Thrower of the Year: Tomas Walsh. Jumper of the Year: Tim McKee.
Middle Distance Athlete of the Year: Angela Smit. Distance Athlete of the Year: Matt Smith.
Cross Country Athlete of the Year: Andrew Davidson. Road Runner of the Year: Matt Smith.
Walker of the Year: Kate Newitt. Combined Events Athlete of the Year: Rebecca Wardell.
Athlete with Disability: Holly Robinson.
Coach of the Year: Maria Hassan
Athletic Canterbury Merit Award: John McTaggart
Junior Athlete of the Year: Angela Smit and Tomas Walsh
Senior Athlete of the Year: Rebecca Wardell
DUNEDIN
Barnes Cross Country, Kettle Park – 13 June 2010
Dougal Thorburn took fastest time honours of 16m 25s in the senior 5km handicap race. The winner was Ariki’s Alan Nichols. Ariki won the teams race. Megan Balchin of Leith was the fastest in the women’s 3.75km recording 15m 14s. Barbara Patrick of Hill City won the race on handicap, with Hill City winning the teams. Samuel Bremer of Hill City was the outright winner and also the fastest with 9m 10s in the M16 2.5km. Daniell de Caigney of Ariki was also the winner and the fastest with 10m 39s in the W16 2.5km. Hill City won the M16 teams and Ariki the W16 teams.
INVERCARGILL
Phil McGimpsey of the Gore club won the third of the Southland crosscountry series over 7.4km at Invercargill's Fosbender Park. Janine McLean and Lind Te Au were second and third. Fastest time of 23m 49s went to Barry Ledington while Genevieve Bourke was fastest woman with 29m 55s. Ledington leads the series after three races with 18 points, followed by Linda Te Au, 32 and Glen MacIntosh, 34. There are two more races in the series.
CADBURY CHOCOLATE GRANTS
Official Fundraiser to the NZ Commonwealth Games Team
Elizabeth Lamb and Rebecca Wardell are two of just 10 athletes to be awarded the inaugural Cadbury Chocolate Grant.
They will receive $20,000 worth of chocolate to sell and all of the proceeds will go towards their preparations for the Commonwealth Games in October.
It's more chocolate than anyone could ever dream of owning. But high jumper Lamb and heptathlete Wardell won't be tucking into it any time soon.
Instead they'll be selling their stash to raise money for their Commonwealth Games aspirations.
There were 100 applicants for the grant and Lamb was thrilled to be successful.
"It took me by surprise to be honest because $20,000 worth of chocolate is something you don't always get."
The Auckland University student models part-time and is preparing herself for the World Junior Championships to be held in Canada in July.
Both Lamb and Wardell were selected for the Commonwealth Games in the announcement by the New Zealand Olympic Committee on Friday.