Next Generation of WAIS Track and Field on Show

Published On: 14 March 2011

Ellen Pearce has enjoyed a successful summer

The next generation of WAIS track and field talent has been put through its paces at the 2011 Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney.

Pole vault was the flavour of the month for competing WA athletes with Ellen Pearce, Liz Parnov and young up and comer Nina Kennedy all returning encouraging results.

Pearce has enjoyed a bright summer campaign and took competition honours in the women’s U20 pole vault competition in Sydney after setting a new personal best, following a clearance of 4.05m.

Reigning national pole vault champion Liz Parnov has endured an injury interrupted campaign, but was able to compete off eight steps in Sydney to take second place in the U18 competition.

The title was won by Paris McCathrion who cleared 3.90m to trump Parnov’s best height of 3.85m, which was enough to earn the Commonwealth Games representative a world youth qualifying mark.

McCathrion commented that she was pleased to take the title given she hadn’t felt in great shape in the lead up to competition.

“I wasn’t feeling very good today so to come away with another qualifier just makes me so happy,” McCathrion said.

“My run didn’t really come together so to get over 3.90 was great, jumping 4.00m is what I want at world youths so hopefully that is something I can work towards.”

13 year-old WAIS talent Nina Kennedy claimed a special double after staking wins in the U15 and U17 competitions. Kennedy blew the field away in the U15 competition by clearing a new personal best of 3.75m. While she was unable to match her own feat in the U17 event, she was still able to take top spot on the podium with a best clearance of 3.40m.

17 year old WAIS scholarship holder Michael Craggs earned a new personal best of 6.98m in the U18 men’s long jump. His best leap claimed fourth place for the Bateman resident.