SHANE HURNDELL
Hawke's Bay's Laura Nagel won gold in the 16 years 3000m race at the Pacific Schools Games in Canberra on Tuesday.
The Taradale High School Year 12 student finished almost 10 seconds ahead of Australian second placegetter Frederike Straeten with a time of 10m 3.84s. Speaking to her coach, Mick
Cull, after the race Nagel said she was pleased with her performance.
"I was with the front runners until the 1500 mark but I found the pace a little too slow so I went out on my own. It was a little risky but I managed to run away from the field.
"Unfortunately the top ranked girl, Jessica Gilfillan, who has run 9m 23s injured an ankle and was on crutches. I was hoping she would drag me out for a fast time but that's life," said Nagel who is expected to get tougher competition at next month's Youth Olympics in Sydney.
Fellow Taradale High School student and another Cull-coached runner Eric Speakman won bronze in the 18-19 years 5000m race yesterday. Both Nagel and Speakman are looking forward to the 1500m events on Saturday.
