Heptathletes struggling

Press, 28 July 1986, Page 20

Heptathletes struggling

New Zealand’s two representatives in the heptathlon, Terry Genge (Hamilton), and Lyn Osmers (Christchurch), will be hoping for improved performances after finishing well down the list at the end of the first day of competition in the Commonwealth Games heptathlon in the Meadowbank Stadium yesterday. Genge, the national champion, was in sixth place on 3312 points after the five events. Her best score was 990 points for a

fine 13.92 s run in the first event, the 100 m hurdles.

After making a bold start with a 15.21 s hurdles (814 points) and clearing 1.79 m (966 points) in the high jump, Osmers stumbled in the shot, recording a modest 11.33 m for only 617 points. She was in tenth and last place at the half-way point.

Mrs Osmers, however, has her strongest events still to come.

The overnight' leader was the English repre-

sentative, Judy Simpson, who looks set on avenging her defeat by Glynis Nunn (Australia) in the last Commonwealth Games at Brisbane. She has 3855 points. Mrs Nunn is no longer contesting the decathlon, but another Australian is providing the main challenge. Jane Flemming finished strongly with the fastest 200 m of the competition of 24.17 s and this lifted her score to 3714. Kim Hagger (England) was third at the half-way point with 3583.