Parnov Soars to Silver
WAIS pole vaulter Liz Parnov has claimed a silver medal at 2011 IAAF world youth championships in Lille, France over the weekend.
Entering the competition at 4.00m, 10 centimetres higher than that which she qualified with, the Flame athlete Parnov (WAIS) on first attempt sailed smoothly into the following round before a 4.10m clearance and two passes. She took to the runway and cleared again at a new season best of 4.20m before stumbling at 4.25m.
Parnov is the 2010 Youth Olympics silver medallist and a senior Commonwealth Games representative for the Australian Flame. This experience is yet another important stepping stone in her continuing development.
“Another silver medal, it’s becoming a bit of a habit,” Parnov joked.
“I’ve got a new run-up this year and I am using new poles so a silver medal is a good result.”
“Obviously I would have preferred to win but to finish with a season best jump and some confidence in my technique is great.”
Australian under 18 champion Paris McCathrion (VIC), who competed alongside Parnov, finished 9th with a 3.90m clearance, while the gold medal was won by German Desiree Singh with a world youth leading clearance of 4.25m.
On track from lane 8 in the 400m hurdles, Sarah Carli (NSW), who at these championships has improved her personal best by more than two seconds, blazed up the straight to win a silver medal behind American Nnenya Hailey (first, 57.83) in a time of 58.05.
Carli’s result sees the 17-year-old join Jana Pittman (gold, 1999), Kim Crow (silver, 2001) and Lauren Boden (silver, 2005) as an Australian girl’s 400m hurdles medallists at these championships.
“I did not see that coming, especially from the outside lane,” Carli said.
“I’m just so excited, there are so many people that got me here – my coach, my family, this team – and to have a medal is just unbelievable.”
A further three top-eight finishes added to the pair of silver medals to ensure that day four of the championships felt like ‘Australia Day’.
Opening the account were Filoi Aokuso (NSW) and Keshia McGrath-Volau (QLD), who placed 5th(50.85m) and 6th(49.66m) respectively in the discus throw.
Eighth in the shot put final just days ago and the youngest athlete on the team at 15, Aokuso’s best mark was a strong close to her series, while McGrath-Volau was impressed by her consistent throwing beyond the 48 metre mark.
“I thought my throws improved as the series went on, especially after an opening foul and a really frustrating couple of throws to follow that,” Aokuso said.
“My last throw was great so it was a good finish.”
“Wow that was amazing, just so much fun,” McGrath-Volau said.
“It was a little confusing communicating out there but I think that added to the experience, it was kind of cool to be honest.
“Plus all my throws were out beyond 48 (metres) so that’s a win.”
David Snowdon (NSW) also added to Australia’s team score after leaping 2.09m for 6thin the high jump.Confidently clearing 1.95m, Snowdon progressed through 2.00m and 2.05m to remain standing in a field of nine. Jumping over 2.09m, just one centimetre from his personal best (2.10m), Snowdon narrowly missed all three attempts at 2.13m as local hero Gael Levecque (2.16m) won gold.
“I didn’t expect to do this well so I can’t complain at all,” Snowdon said.
“I was so comfortable in the early stages, but at 2.13m I couldn’t recollect as well as I’d hoped so what can you do.
“Let’s do this again at world juniors in Barcelona next year, I can’t wait.”
-Athletics Australia