Gold, silver swansong for Briana

MORE COLGATE MEDALS: Middle distance runner Briana Irving has an impressive history in the Colgate Games and added to that in the 2017 edition with gold in the 14 years girls 800 metres and silver in the 1500m. She followed it up with a personal best performance in her first open women’s 800m race at the Potts Classic. Both meetings were held in Hastings. Irving’s focus has shifted to surf lifesaving, where she will specialise in beach events for the Waikanae club. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

TALENTED Gisborne middle distance runner Briana Irving has had a great January on the track.

The Gisborne Girls’ High School student won gold in the 14 years girls’ 800 metres and silver in the 1500m in her last year of eligibility for the North Island Colgate Games held this year in Hastings. Last weekend she followed up that performance with a personal best in the 800m in her career-first open women’s race at the Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic also in Hastings.

Irving renewed her rivalry with Waikato teenager Charli Miller at the Colgate Games and the pair were streets ahead of the rest. Irving, who did the 800 and 1500 double at last year’s games, was second to Miller in the 1500m — clocking 4 minutes 41.81 seconds to Miller’s 4.39.38. She avenged that the next day in the 800, winning in 2 minutes 17.75 seconds, with Miller 0.42 behind her.

Irving was the only medallist of the 17-strong Gisborne contingent managed by Amy O’Connor. She also had the honour of reading the athletes’ oath, along with Hastings competitor Mitchell Snell, at the opening ceremony.

Irving said she was “honoured but nervous . . . running is easier”.

That was helped by the atmosphere around the track.

“I made me go faster as I could hear people cheering for me.

Irving returned to Hastings last weekend for the Potts Classic.

It is an annual meeting held in memory of 1968 Olympian and 1970 and 1974 Comonwealth Games New Zealand middle distance representative Sylvia Potts and her husband Allan — a New Zealand team coach, Athletics New Zealand president and long-time national track and field coach and selector.

Irving placed third in the women’s B-grade 800m race at the Potts Classic and was “stoked” as it was a PB of 2.16.99, surpassing her time from the Colgate Games.

The competitive running shoes will be put to the side for the rest of the summer as Brianna shifts focus to surf lifesaving. The Waikanae club member and beach specialist will be getting her first taste of senior competition.