Jan Bishop in fine form

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 22

Jan Bishop in fine form

A mighty winning heave of 14.77 m by a 22-vear-old bank officer. Jan Bishop (Technical), was the sensation of the first day of the annual A.N.Z. Bank interclub track’and field league at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday. The distance was a personal best by a remarkable 50cm, and puts her first in line for selection as a shot putter for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games next year. Not since the retirement of the versatile Wellington athlete, Barbara Beable, four years, ago has a New Zealand athlete achieved such a level. However, the Games selection standard of 15.50 m is still some way off, although Miss Bishop is now confident that this is within her ability. Her previous best, achieved during the Pacific Con-

ference Games in January, was 14.27 m. Conditions were hot and calm, ideal for shot putting. The day was not a complete disappointment for the reigning New Zealand champion, Vai Young (Technical). She trailed all the way for her fourth defeat this summer, but had the satisfaction of getting out one excellent 14.02 m put in the fourth round. It was a sure sign that the battle between these two fine athletes was anything but resolved. On Saturday, Miss Bishop exceeded 14m with all six of her attempts. She started with 14.24 m, achieved a personal best of 14.57 m in the second round, and then set the shot thudding out to her winning distance of 14.77 m on her third attempt. She followed this with three more

outstanding puts of 14.06 m, 15.14 m and 14.62 m.

If Miss Bishop’s shot putting was remarkable for its consistency, the same could not 'ss said for her javelin throwing. She won the event with a distance of 42.16 m, which was satisfying enough, but far less than she needs to qualify in this event for the Commonwealth Games.

"I just can’t seem to get my act together.” she complained afterwards. Nevertheless, she still retains her top ranking in New Zealand. Runner-up on Saturday was her club-mate, Lvn Aben, with 41.12 m.

The afternoon heat appeared to bring out the best in Canterbury’s leading high jumpers. Terry Lomax (Old Boy’s), who set a New Zealand record of 2.15 m

earlier this year, won the preniier league event in a very tight contest; with Andrew Wells (Tod H)- Both cleared 2.05 m, but Wells dropped to second place on thecountoack. : /Third place was taken by the pole vault specialist, Kieran McKee (Toe H). He cleared 2.00 m.

The junior high jump was just as enthralling. Bill Boyd (Papa-nui-Redwood) won with a splendid leap of 2.05 m. His performance was matched by another fine prospect. Grant Landery (Cashmere), but when the countback was made Landery had to be content with second. The first record of the season went to Darren Dale (New Brighton). who won his section of the minor league 400 m • in 51.55, bettering his own under . 16 elec-

tronic record of 51.96 s set last season. The time will stand as a hand-timed record. It was a fine run. but there were other outstanding efforts in the 400 m races.'/

Perhaps the surprise packet of * the day was Evan Peterson (Technical) who pulled away from the 400 m specialists in the premier grade for a splendid win : in a personal best of 48.655, . Peterson, a long jump specialist. ; who has been sprinting in recent ’ weeks as part of his preparation, * has not raced over this distance . before this season and has covered it only rarely in the ' past. ’ fhe day was a highly success- . ful one for Terry Lomax. In > addition to the high jump, he ■ won the triple jump and the 110 m hurdles.