Parnov Poles Apart
WAIS athletes have produced a strong return of results at the Australian Under-20 and Under-23 Championships in Queensland’s Gold Coast over the weekend.
Western Australian Vicky Parnov drew the curtains on an exciting meet with a fine performance, taking out the Under-20 Women’s Pole Vault.
Parnov claimed victory with a best jump of 4.35m that doubled as an Olympic B-Qualifier and World Junior Qualifier. The 17 year old who boasts a personal best of 4.40m attempted to break that mark and achieve an Olympic A-Qualifier with three jumps at 4.45m, which proved to be a touch too high, with the third attempt perilously close.
Parnov finished first ahead of her younger sister Liz Parnov who claimed second with a best jump of 3.85m, an amazing effort for the 13 year old. Amanda Bartrim of NSW finished third.
Parnov was happy to get the win but was philosophical about when she will break the A-Qualifying mark.
“It was really good to get the win, I jumped a season best which I was happy about,” said Parnov.
“I’m not sure when I will get an A-Qualifier, it’s not something I am putting a time frame on, and I just have to keep improving and training hard.”
Vicky Parnov will be named in the Australian squad for the World Juniors taking place in Poland this July.
Lyndsay Pekin had a fine meet after winning the Women’s Under-23 400m and taking out second place in the Under-23 400m Hurdles. 21 year old Pekin was too quick for the field winning the 400m in a time of 55.16s with Victoria’s Katherine Clarke taking second and Papua New Guinea’s Betty Burua third.
Pekin was the fastest qualifier for the final of the 400m Hurdles but was relegated to second after a fresher Lauren Boden from the ACT claimed the win. Pekin clocked a time of 59.88s with NSW’s Amanda Morris taking third.
Miranda Tiong competed strongly in the Women’s Under-23 Pole Vault, claiming fourth on a count back after posting a best jump of 3.50m. Melanie Adams claimed first position with a jump of 3.95m with Western Australian pair Jamie Scroop and Amanda Bisk filling out the places.
Ellen Pettitt narrowly missed out on top place in the Under-23 High Jump, taking second with a best effort of 1.82m. Queenslander Catherine Drummond finished first with a best of 1.85m. Victorian Hannah Alderton claimed third.
Zoe Timmers produced a fine display winning the Under-20 High Jump with a best effort of 1.80m. Trudy Thompson (NSW) and Sarah Saddleton (NZL) followed in second and third respectively. Timmers at 18 years of age could have a bright future in athletics.