Wellington sprinter looks all set for Pacific Games

Press, 28 November 1977, Page 22

Wellington sprinter looks all set for Pacific Games

By

ROD DEW

I A 200 metres run of 21.4 s [by the tali Wellington i sprinter, Bevan Smith, gave ! the opposition no chance in | the Canterbury inter-club ■ trask and field meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday. Smith, running with 'supreme confidence after a j spell recovering from injury, was one of several New Zealand representatives who took the opportunity to have j final work outs on the i Christchurch all-weather track before leaving vesterIday for the Pacific Confer-} ,ence games in Canberra, j His time over 200 m was : faster than Steve Erkkila 1 J (Auckland) in the national j I championship in March, and; indicated that he would be in peak condition for the main event — the 400 m — in the Pacific Games next Saturday and Sunday. Smith, the national 400 m i champion and a former (Olympic representative, (could obviously have gone I faster. He eased up in the final approach and yet still won by a handsome margin from another Pacific Games team member, Peter Pearless (Nelson), and the former Commonwealth Games sprinter. Grant Anderson (Old Boys-Te Kura), of Christchurch. Pearless, who is also a 400 m specialist, ran 21.95, and Anderson 22.15. Earlier in the day. Smith won his heat of the 100 m in another good time of 10.8 s. Pearless was again second and lan Ferguson (Otago), named in the Pacific Games team as a short sprinter, was a disappointing third. Pearless and Ferguson both recorded 10.95.

For Ferguson, it was not a particularly satisfactory day. In the 60m sprint, he and the former Commonwealth Games sprinter, Trevor Cochrane (Ashburton), dipped across the finishing line locked together. Both were given the same time of 1 7s but it was Cochrane, I who has been concentrating lon 800 m running in recent [seasons, who was given first (place by the judges. j Peter Allen (Wellington) I was another Pacific Games representative who failed to shine, although conditions for his run over the 110 m hurdles were less than favourable. Starting off a different mark, he was paced by competitors in the women’s 100 m hurdles because of the lack of male opposition. However, his [time of 15.1 s compared very lunfavourably with the 14.4 s ■of the national champion, i Ross Pownall (Auckland), the previous Saturday. The New Zealand pentathlon champion, Barbara Beable (Wellington), won the women’s 100 m hurdles in 14.45, an excellent performance. Unfortunately, she kept away from the discus, ; one of the events she will (be expected to contest at Canberra. A confrontation with Va- [ lerie Young (Canterbury), i who was inexplicably omit;ted from the team, was thus avoided. Mrs Young won the discus with a fine throw of 43.44 m, to keep out two very promising young performers, Vicky Phillips (Technical) and Jan Bishop (Technical). Miss Phillips threw 39.14 m and Miss Bishop 38.50 m. In the women’s javelin, the rivalry between the Technical club-mates, Barbara Ovenden and Miss Bishop, continued. This time it was Mrs Ovenden who (triumphed over the former New Zealand champion, with I a distance of 40.64 m. Miss [Bishop’s best was 37.44 m.

Kathleen Burt (Toe H) comfortably won both women’s sprints against visiting opposition. In the 60m; she recorded 7.75, to beat Barbara Beable by two strides. Her main opposition in the 200 m came from T. Yaxley (Otago), and this time her winning margin was a tenth of a second. The New Zealand pole! vault champion. Mike Rit-} chie (Toe H), cleared 4.55 m in a solo effort before having the bar lifted up to I 4.72 m for an attempt on his j New Zealand record (4.71m).} However, his three vaults were unsuccesstul. The lack of opposition was clearly a limiting factor. His chief rival and training; partner, Kieran McKee (Toe H). was in hospital recov- i ering from an appendicitis I operation. McKee, the New} Zealand junior champion was close to Ritchie's New; Zealand record in training; last Wednesday, and was planning a serious attempt: on this on Saturday. However, the day after his fine training vault he was taken I to hospital. In McKee’s absence, Ritchie gained an effortless) double by winning the high jump as well. His winning! height was 1.91 m. : Richard Goldstone (Old I Boys-Te Kura) raced to an (impressive 49.6 s win in the, junior 400 m — a perform-: lance which indicates that he I (has made a swift recovery: from the back injury which cost him a place in the Paci-, fic Games team. The New Zealand junior! 800 m and 1500 m champion,} Andrew Stark (University-1 Shirley), comfortably won the senior 800 m in linin' 51.55, from another former national junior champion, Warren Sheddan (Olympic). Wayne Lambert (Cashmere) demonstrated strength and purpose in winning the men's 5000 m in 14min 48.25, from 1. Milne (UniversityShirley). But. all eyes were on the third finisher, Jim (Macdonald (Olympic), aged: 143. He ran the fastest 1500 m in the world for his age the; previous Saturday. This time; he returned the impressive time of 14min 56.4 s for the 5000 m. Macdonald's 1500 m run the previous week was recognised by his selection as the Farmers “Sportsman of the Week.” Abbreviations used in the following results are: Avon (A.), Ashburton (AshJ. Cashmere (Cash.), Old Boys Te Kura (O.B.), Dunedin (Dunn. New Brighton (N. 8. St Andrew’s (St A.), St Thomas’ (St T.I. Technical |T.), Toe H (T.H.), University-Shirley (U.S.). Olympic (0.1, St Bede's (St B.). South Canterbury (S.C.), Greymouth (Grey.), St Martins (St 'MJ. WOMEN Senior 60m.—K. Burt (T.H.), 7.7. 1; B. Beable (Well.), 7.9, 2; T. Yaxley (Dun.), 8.1. 3. 200 m.—K. Burt (T.HJ, 25.6, 1; T. Yaxley (Dun), 25.7, 2; J. Prebble (N. 8. 26.0, 3. 3000 m.—M. O’Connor (U.S.), 10:14.4, 1; A. Tait (U.S.), 10:23.4, 2; P. Kassoek, 10:38.8, 3. IOOm hurdles.—B. Beadle (Well.), 14.4, 1; T. Yaxley (Dun.), 14.9, 2; J. Prebble (N. 8. 15.6, 3. DISCUS.—V. Young (TJ, 43.44, 1; V. Phillips (T.), 39.14, 2; J. Bishop (T.). 38.50, 3. Javelin.—B, Ovenden (TJ, 40.64, 1; J. Bishop (T.i, 37.44, 2 4 x ,100 m relay.—Old Boys Te Kura, 51.5, 1. Under 18 60m.—Section A: L. McLennan (TJ. 8.0. 1; J. Howard (A.), 8.2, 2; R. Burn (O.B.), 8.5. 3. Section B: R. Okenden (OBJ, 8.4, 1: D. Show (U.S.), 8.5, 2; S. Watts (A.), 8.8, 3. 200 m—L. McLennan (TJ. 26.0. 1: R. Burn (O.B.), 26.1, 2; E. Wells (TJ, 27.3. 3. Discus.—M. Avia (T.), 40.88. 1: S Bishop (T.i, 29.60. 2; S. Carter (TJ. 27.14, 3. Under 16 60m. —Section A: D. Barraclough (A.), 8.2, 1; P. Townshend (TJ, 8.3, 2; G. Adams (TJ. 8.6. 3. Section B: K. Robins (O.BJ. 8.4, 1; C. Prentice (OBJ. 8.5, 2; L. Hunt (A.), 8.7. 3. 200 m—D. Barraclough (A), 26.9 1; P. Townshend (TJ. 27.2, 2: C. Prentice (OBJ, 28.7, 3.

800 m —M Moran s t . 1; I. Hunt iA.i_. 2:25.8, 2. h Everest tA.t, 2:26.5, 3 MEN Senior Men 60m.—Section A T. Cochrane (Ash.i. 70. I: I Ferguson Dun . 7.0, 2; J. Barley (U.B . 7.1, 3. Section B: J. Barnfield T.H '. : 7 1. 1: K Hickman (T.i, 7.2, 2; C. Cawley (0.8. i. 7.3, 3. Section C: P. Burson (N.B.', 7.4, 1: G. Davey (U.S. 7.6, 2; G. Ruther[ford (T.HJ, /.6, 3. ■ 100 m—B Smith Well.'. 10 8. 1; P. Pearless (Nelson i. 10.9. 2, ’I. Ferguson (Dun.), 10.9, 3. I 200m.—Section A: B Smith (Well.'. 21.4, 1; P Peariess (Neilson), 21.9. 2: G. Anderson 0.8 >, 22 1. 3 Section B: T. Cochrane I (Ash.' 22.6, 1; M. Fahey A. . 23.0. i; A. Tucker iQ.B. , 23 3. ‘3 Section C: A. Tweedie (O B. . 123.0, 1; N. Ockenden tO.B '. 23 t, 2; C. Cawley iO.BJ, 23.3. 3 Sedition D: T. Jarman (O.BJ, 23.5, 1. IJ, Robson (O B.), 23.8, 2; B Burson (N.BJ, 24.2, 3 800m—Section A A. Stark '(U.S.), 1:51.5. 1: \V. Sheddan 1(0.1. 1:54.4 2: J. Stark (U.S.). 1:56.5. 3 Section B: A. Thurlow I (Dun.l. 1:54. 4, I; G. Donaldson ! (Chch), 2:1.6, 2; A, von Biel I (OB.>, 2:2.1 3. Section C: G. Hardy (U.S), 2:1.9, 1; B Clark ;(0.8.i, 2:2.2, 2; G. Rutherford ■I (T.H.I, 2:4.6, 3. 1 5000 m —M. Lambert (Cash >, '114:48.2, 1; I. Milne (St Mj. [14:54.6, 2: J. Macdonald (O . 114:56.4. 3 ; 110 m hurdles —Allen (Well), llS.l. 1. I 400 m hurdles—D Ferguson ■ T.i, 61.2. 1; J Clark <Tj, 68.5, I Pole vault.—M. Ritchie ■ T ; ;4.55. I. J High jump.—M. Ritchie ! Shot put. — M. Mene (TN 13.17. 1; M. l eech il'. 12.92, >, i J. Gleeson (T.I, 12.09. 3. ' Javelin. — D. Leary (T.T ■. I 56.02. 1 M. Mene if. , 34.10, 2; :;M. Ritchie (T.H.). 48.60. 3. [ 4 x 400 m relay. — Old Boys Te [Kura. 3:25.7, 1; Old Boys Te Kura, 3: 33.6. 2; Technical. 3.38.0, ’ 13. J Junior > 100 m. —M. Fahey (A>. 11.3, 1; IN. Ockenden (O.B.), 11.4. 2; T. I Jarman (0.8. i 11.5. 3. ■I 400 m. — R. Goldstone tO.B 49.6, 1; W. Taylor (A.). 53.3, 2, R. Cockle (N. 8. 54.6. 3. 1500 m. — A. Prescott >1 .S'. 114.14.6, 1; R. van Pelt (U.S.i. [4:14.8, 2; R. Sprott (O.B.), 4:14.9, ’ 400 m hurdles. — G. Buehanan (A.), 59.5. 1; S. Hansen i0.8.i, ' 59.9, 2; R. Cockle (N'.B.), 61.1, 3. 2000 m steeplechase. — A. ’ Szentivanyi (N. 8. 6:14.8, 1; M. I Faulkner (T.), 6.45.2. 2; G.rafton , (A), 7.00, 3. Shot put. — S. Hansen (0.8.1. ■ 12.31. I; J. Cairns (T.H.i. 11.86. 2: T. Lomax 'O-8.1, 11.30. 3. 4 Long jump. — R. Falconer (A.), 6. 13. 1; G Buchanan (A.', ' 5.77. 2. I Pole vault. —S. McKee (T.H), l 2.80. I. ,1 High jump. — C. Manson - (T.H.i. 1.87, I. 4 Javelin. — R. Gibson (T.H.), 4 49.50 1; J. Cairns (T.H.), 39.34, 2. Under It 100 m. — Section A: E. Peterson (T.I, 11.4, 1; Q. Pawson (T>, ; 11.6, 2; G. Parker (0.8. i. 11.8, 3. Section B. G. Fitch (A.), 11.8, I; D. Thomas (O.B.), 12.1 2; G. Morrison (StT.l, 12.3. 3. ‘ 400 m. — Section A: G. Thompson (T), 53.2 1; T. Prisk (N. 8. 53.9, 2; G. Brown (A). 56.4. 3. Section B: P. Heiff (A.), 53.3, 1; R. Clarke (T.), 54.0, 2; B. Smith (A.), 54.3, 3. 1500 m. — M. Gilchrist (T.I, 4:3.4, 1; B. Payne (Cash.). 4:7.5, 2; B. Fitzmaurice (N.B.i. 4:10.8, 3. 400 m hurdles. — P. Heuff (A.*, 60.0 1; J. Dettmer (T.H.’, 62.2. 2; W. Purchas (T.); 62.6, 3. Long jump. — D. Gourley 'T.Hj. 5.77, 1; C. Johnson <AJ, 5.60, 2; D. Beckwith (A./, 5.48, 3. Shot put. — K. Barrow (Grey . 12.61, 1; C. Wilkinson (A.), 10.33, 2; G. Flynn (St.B.), 9.72, .3. Pole vault. — D. McKee (T H.), ’ 3.35, 1. High jump. — Q. Pawson (T.\ I. 1; K. Barrow (Grey.), 1.79, 2; ' J. Wallis (Chch), 1:50, 3. Javelin. — K. Barrow (Grey>, > 48. 26, 1; D. McKee (T.H.), 35.52, 2; J. Wallis (Chch), 27.66, 3. Under U 100 m, — Section A: P. Connell , (N. 8. 12.1. 1; J. Dettmer (T.H. 1 , 12.2, 2; N. McKenzie (Cash. . 12.5. 3. Section B: S. Tuhaka , (Cash.), 12.3, 1; A. McKenzie (St. A), 12.5, 2; C. Chittock (Cash.), 12.7. 3. 400 m. — Section A: P. Connell (N. 8. 55.0 1; A. McKenzie I(St.A.), 55.5, 2; J. Schutte (0.8. , 56.6, 3. Section B: C. Penrose (N. 8.1. 56.21 1; C. Chittock (Cash.), 57.2 2; K. Garty (OB.). 58.7, 3. 1500 m. — D. Ellis (A.), 4 25.fi, 1; M. Blanch (Cash.), 4:26.8, 2; A. Wilson (Cash.), 4:32.6, 3. 400 m hurdles. — P. Connell (N. 8. 61.7, 1; P. Byers (T. , 63.4, 2; P. McKendry (St.B.), 65.7, 3. Shot put. — D. Gordon (Cash), 11. 1; M. Blanch (Cash.), 11.15, 2; C.’ Barrow (Grey.). 10.76. 3. High jump. — B. Martin (T.H.K 1.70, 1; P. Connell (N. 8. 1.65, 2; N. McKenzie (Cash.), 1.6.0, 3. Javelin. — C. Barrow (Grey.), .34.70, 1: B. Tetter (N. 8. 33.28, 2; D. Gordon (Cash.), 33.18, 3.