Sprint title ‘shoot-out’

Press, 6 February 1982, Page 14

Sprint title ‘shoot-out’

By

ROD DEW

The athlete who will wear the coveted Canterbury sprint crown for the next 12 months will be decided today when the Canterbury track and field championships begin at Queen Elizabeth II Park. The two main rivals, in what promises to be a battle royal for the 100 m championship, seem certain to be Joe Leota (Old Boys) and Evan Peterson (Technical). Both have their sights set on the Canterbury 100 m title today and, on recent form, there seems to be little between the two. Leota, who started the season well with a brilliant 10.5 s win in an international meeting in Tahiti, has the fastest time to his credit, but he has lacked the consistency of Peterson, who has a best for the season of 10.8 s.

Neither runner is making any special preparations for the race. Leota is aiming for a peak at the national championships in March, and Peterson is using the 100 m sprint to help him with his main event, the long jump.

But both have the same object this season — to win selection for the Commonwealth Games .in Brisbane later this year. And today’s race will give them a fairly good idea how they are progressing. “Joe has been having a little trouble with his technique, and he is not aiming to reach a peak until the nationals. But all things being equal, I think he should

win,” Leota’s coach, Mr Paul Davies, said. Mr Davies has a great respect for Peterson and he agrees that Leota cannot afford to go out and not give his best if he wants to retain the title he won so well last summer.

Leota has not made the progress hoped of him since his return to New Zealand. However, hopes are high that the Canterbury championship will be a turning point.

Peterson’s coach, Mr Valdemars Briedis, believes the race will be close. But he is backing his own athlete. “Evan has beaten Joe before. J don’t see why he cannot do it again. A lot will depend on the day.”

It seems that the race will be a two-horse affair. Reece Dacre (Old Boys), a young runner of promise, could make his presence felt among the minor placings. Bruce Harrison (Avon), who has been running some excellent times in senior ranks, will reserve his efforts for the under-18 championships. He is still only 16 and Mr Davies, who also coaches

him, feels that the time is not yet right for him to move up to senior competition at championship level. Bev Peterson (Technical) seems certain to win the women’s 100 m championship again, although behind her the competition for the minor placings should be keen. Vicky Lewis (Old Boys), in her first senior season, looks likely to provide Miss Peterson with her closest challenge, although such excellent runners as Donna Barraclough and Lynette Kay (Technical) cannot be discounted. All championships are post entry events, which adds to the difficulty of picking likely winners. Miss Kay, whose main events are the hurdles, will be one to beat in the 400 m flat.

In the field events, there will be considerable interest in the clash between the reigning national champion, Vai Young (Technical), and her young challenger, Janice Bishop (Technical), in the discus.

The rivalry between these two has been one of the features of the season so far.

However, Mrs Young, with her long experience and ability to rise to the occasion, must start as favourite.

Spice will be added to this event by the appearance of a former national champion, Sally Mene (Technical), who threw nearly 43 metres at a meeting in Wellington last Saturday. Her chief occupation these days is raising a young family and she does not have the time to train. But she clearly has the ability to surprise. Miss Bishop will also be chasing the javelin title tomorrow, and she should win. Nevertheless, a recent unexpected defeat by her Technical club-mate, Lyn Aben, has introduced an element of uncertainty about the outcome.

There will be interest, too, in the outcome of the men’s discus. Matt Leech (Technical) appeared to hold the advantage earlier in the season, although in recent weeks he has had to accept second place behind the former national decathlon champion, Mene Mene (Technical). Who will win tomorrow is anybody’s guess. But the contest is certain to be close.