Georgia Hulls (centre) could claim the 200m gold in front of a hometown crowd at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships. Photo / Getty Images
Georgia Hulls (centre) could claim the 200m gold in front of a hometown crowd at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships. Photo / Getty Images
Sprinter Georgia Hulls might be Hawke's Bay's best chance of a senior medal at this weekend's New Zealand Track and Field Championships and she is more confident than she has been in a long time.
The 21-year-old from Hastings will be competing in the 100 metres and 200 metres eventson Friday and Saturday at Mitre 10 Park Hawke's Bay.
Hulls won bronze in both distances last year and is currently the top ranked 200m sprinter in the country.
She said she is feeling excited to be going for gold at this year's Championships, particularly since they are being held at home.
"There's obviously still a crazy amount of depth in both events, but this is my best chance so far I'd say," Hulls said.
While she is based in Auckland now, Hulls said Hawke's Bay is definitely still home for her so it has been great to be back staying with her parents this week.
A hometown crowd cheering her on will be a big motivator for the Hastings Athletic Club sprinter this weekend.
"It's cool because I've got some friends, my family and people from my athletics club coming down, and it just makes it a little bit more special," Hulls said.
Eric Speakman is another Hawke's Bay local to watch in his two events – the 1500m and 5000m.
After a rough time with injuries, Eric Speakman is among the favourites for the national 5000m title. Photo / File
The 30-year-old has overcome injury troubles in recent years, and won the men's 5000m ahead of a very strong field at the Night of 5s in Auckland just before Christmas.
Nick Palmer of Hastings looks set to take the silver medal in the men's shot put behind his training partner; three-time world champion Tom Walsh.
The 20-year-old is in great form though, having set a personal best of 18.41m at the recent Sir Graeme Douglas International in Auckland.
Brianna Lee of Hastings won the national Under-20 1500m silver medal last year aged 17, so should go well in the 800m event she is signed up for this weekend.
Other than Walsh, the big names from outside of Hawke's Bay competing are Dame Valerie Adams (shot put), Camille Buscomb (middle distance) and Lauren Bruce (hammer throw), who have all already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
High jumper Hamish Kerr is on the verge of qualifying and has just broken the New Zealand record.
