McKee vaults to N.Z. record

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 25

McKee vaults to N.Z. record

, A three-year battle for an extra centimetre of height ended on Saturday for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games ,Pole vaulter, Kieran McKee (Toe H), when he broke bis own New Zealand resident and national records with a superb vault of 5.02 m. Competing in the Fresh-up inter-club track and field meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park, McKee had two near misses at the new height before soaring over the bar with room to spare. His previous best, set in January, 1981. was 5.01 m.

“I thought that if I didn't do it today, I was never going to do it,” said McKee, who attempted the record height without success for the three previous weeks.

His success ends a period of some frustration, and injury problems. Last year he broke a bone in a foot and this eventually required surgery. But he is clearly back to the sort of form which won him selection for the last Commonwealth Games, and he is now turning his attention to a 5.05 m vault. On Saturday he had three attempts at the 5.05 m, but the elation of his New Zealand record performance reduced his concentration and he brought the bar down each time.

The event was also a success for McKee’s younger brother, Derek McKee (Toe H), who added 10cm to his personal best with a vault of 4.70 m for second. This added considerable incentive to Kieran McKee’s vaulting. Kieran McKee was forced to clear 4.80 m to win the contest, before going on for his New Zealand record attempt. He had originally intended to go for the record after clearing the 4.70 m height. "Absolutely marvellous,” was how Kieran McKee described his brother’s performance. “He really made the adrenalin flow. He is right up behind me now.” Kieran McKee used his small pole for the record attempt. On the first two vaults he got a little too close to the bar, but knew as soon as he had taken off on the third attempt that he would succeed.

Now he will confirm his place in the Canterbury team tor the New Zealand championships at Auckland next month. He had promised himself that if he did not break the record beforehand he would not attempt to regain the New Zealand championship, cur-

rently held by Derek McKee. “The only thing for me now is to go higher and break records,” he explained. He feels that he can clear 5.10 m on his small pole and considers 5.20 m is within reach with his larger pole. He is also getting two new poles, both of them heavier than those he already has, from the United States. "I will get a better kick at the top with heavier poles," he explained. Kieran McKee was later awarded the New Zealand Permanent Building Society "Athlete of the Week” award.

A second presentation was made to Elliott Gould (University), who was announced as the “Athlete of the Week” for the second day of the Canterbury championships last weekend. He won the junior 1500 m, and last Wednesday dipped inside the New Zealand junior 3000 m record. On Saturday he was fourth in the senior 800 m, centimetres behind David Kett (Shirley). Both recorded Imin 52.65, the fastest time recorded by a junior in New Zealand over this distance this season.

The event was won by Geoff Prendergast (University) by a stride from Dave Macdonald (Olympic). Prendergast recorded Imin 52.35, and Macdonald Imin 52.65. Rhys Dacre (Old Boys) continued to build confidence and form, winning the senior and junior 100 m sprints, and taking the senior 200 m as a bonus. In the junior 100 m he recorded a smart 10.95, winning comfortably from Bruce Harrison (Avon). In the senior 100 m, things were a little more desperate. Joe Leota (Old Boys) was right with him at the finish and both recorded the same time, 10.95. However, the race went to Dacre.

Later in the day, Dacre won the 200 m in 21.85, which was probably his best performance of the meeting. Two clubmates, Michael Fahey and Terry Lomax, filled the minor placings.

Fahey recorded 22.55, and Lomax, competing at his last inter-club meeting before moving to Auckland, recorded 22.65.

Anne Marie Tweedie (University) stole a march on two of her closest rivals in the women’s 3000 m. She was very much in command at the finish, recording a very satisfactory 9min 30.35. Wendy Renner (New Brighton), winner of the Canterbury 5000 m title a week earlier, was second in 9min

36.2 s and the New Zealand cross-country representative, Sara Harnett (New Brighton), was a distant third.

Bev Peterson (Technical), a perennial place-getter at national sprint championships, appears to be on target for another medal this season. She won the 100 m in 12.1 s from Jo Jones (University). Mrs Jones later won the 200 m in a modest 25.4 s from a University team-mate. Briar Wood.

The Commonwealth Games heptathlon representative, Karen Forbes (Old Boys), had three attempts at 1.70 m in the women’s high jump, but knocked the bar down each

time. However, in the absence of strong competition she could be well pleased with her winning effort of 1.65 m. Lynette Kay (Technical) dipped under 60s for the 400 m hurdles in a fine solo run. Her time was actually 59.65, which

suggests that she is approaching a peak for her national title bid next month. The new Canterbury 800 m champion. Gail Adams (Technical), had a splendid winning run of 2min 1.7 s over this distance, suggesting that she

might give her northern rivals a surprise in the forthcoming national championship. John Srapylton-Smith’s quest lor an 80m throw in the javelin will have to wait for another day. He won the event on Saturday with an excellent

throw of 74.90 m, but probably needs the incentive of a national championship competition to bring out his best. Stapyltoh-Smith (Toe H) only had two acceptable throws on Saturday as he strained for distance.