Athletics NZ weekly roundup 11 June 2018

NORWAY

IAAF Diamond League, Bislett Games, Oslo - 7 June 2018

Tom Walsh vindicated himself after a fourth placing at the Prefontaine Diamond League meeting two weeks earlier with a dramatic come-back shot put performance of 22.29m to win and beat arch rival American Ryan Crouser who was second with 22.21m.

Walsh opened with a throw of 21.91m which led the competition till round five when Crouser was out to 22.21m. Crouser was unable to capitalise on this effort in the final round fouling a big throw and Walsh stepped into the circle to clinch the victory with 22.29m. His series was 21.91, 21.35, 21.79, 21.88, 21.72, 22.29. Walsh who holds the New Zealand record at 22.67m, also set a meet record breaking three times world champion Swiss thrower Werner Gnthrs 1991 record of 22.03m.

Walsh was happy with his effort.

"The Eugene IAAF Diamond League didn't go to plan so that gave me a kick up the backside. Ryan did some great throws tonight and I knew I had it in me to match him. We have a great head to head battle going on so it's great to keep pushing each other and to produce some massive throws," he said.

"It was pretty cool out there tonight, I had a good, consistent series but it was frustrating until that final throw," he added.

The world and Commonwealth Games champion said that 2018 was all about having fun.

"The year so far has gone to plan for me with a world indoor win and winning the Commonwealth title, so I'm pretty stoked with that and I just need to keep the ball rolling now."

Crouser said he was disappointed at losing.

"That last throw, I think it was close to 23 meters, I guess it was the very corner of the toe board with left foot. Some centimeters probably. Anyway, it was a good fight with Tom , of course Im little disappointed I lost. It was little difficult with the break but I managed as my best throws were afterwards. I hope to do the big throw at the next meets," said Crouser.

American Darrell Hill was third with 21.20m and Germanys David Storl fourth with 20.97m.

POLAND

64th Janusz Kusociski Memorial, Silesian Stadium Chorzow - 8 June 2018

The momentum didnt continue for Tom Walsh the day after Oslo, having to settle for second behind Ryan Crouser in Poland. Walsh led after the first three rounds with 21.63m to Crousers 21.46m. In round four Crouser was out to his winning throw of 22.27m. Walsh was unable to better that in his remaining attempts. Walshs series was 21.03, 21.18, 21.63, x, 21.33, 21.28.

Olympic champion Crouser made history, not only did he break the Polish all-comers record, but he also brought his career tally of 22-metre throws to 40. No other man in history has thrown beyond 22 metres on more occasions than Crouser. And what makes the feat all the more impressive is the fact that he only surpassed the mark for the first time in his career less than two years ago. Walsh has 12 22 metre throws achieved over the last 22 months.

Michal Haratyk of Poland was third with 21.58m and David Storl of Germany fourth with 21.16m.

AUCKLAND

Auckland Grand Prix No 3, Auckland teams cross country championships, Barry Curtis Park, East Tamaki - 9 June 2018

Peter Wheeler, the national 3000m champion and runner up in the 5000m, bounced back into winning form in the senior 8km after finishing back in fifth in the two earlier Grand Prix events at Pukekohe and Pakuranga.

Wheeler shared the lead with Pakuranga winner Cameron Graves over the first 8km, before easing ahead on the last lap to win in 26:33, five seconds ahead of Graves. Last years winner Jono Jackson was third in 27m 28s.

The 24 year old Wheeler was pleased to be back in form.

"I took a bit of a break after the track season and its taken me a while to get back into shape, but it looks like Im starting to get there," he said.

Alannah Van Hout, who was third in this years national 10,000m championship, took out the senior womens 6km in 24m 32s. Alana Lythe was second in 24:58 and Amanda Holyer third.

Van Hout (27), who is coached by Paul Hamblyn, has only been training for the last two years.

"I didnt do any running at school," she said.

"Ive had low iron for the last few months which Id only just found out, but Ive been training hard and consistently and Ive had no injuries," said Van Hout.

Nick Moore and Michelle Hopkins were the fastest in the masters, while the under 20 winners were Lachlan Haitana and Gina Butler from Hamilton City Hawks.

Isabella Richardson was in striking form blitzing the under 18 field winning the 4km by nearly a minute in 15:28. Dylan McCullough won the men U/18 5km in 17:47. Christian De Vaal and Luke Clements staged a great battle in the boys under 15 4km, De Vaal eventually winning by three seconds in 14:22. Siobhan Balle won the girls under 15 2.5km in 9:52.

Pakuranga won the senior mens teams title and North Harbour Bays took out the womens title. The masters men went to Owairaka, YMCA won the master women, Pakuranga won the junior men and Auckland City Athletic the junior women.

HASTINGS

Pre-World Under 20 Championships Competition, Hawkes Bay Regional Sports Park - 3 June 2018

Ryan Ballantyne 6kg SP 19.90m, Nick Palmer 6kg SP 18.83m PB. Also competing Torie Owers 4kg SP 14.66m, Josh Woodhead 5kg SP 9.03m.

WELLINGTON

Dorne Cup Cross Country Races, Trentham Memorial Park - 9 June 2018

Daniel Jones won the 8km in 25:12 from Isaac Murphy 25:25 and Malcolm Hodge 25:38. Rowan Hooper led in the masters in 26:16 from Brian Garmonsway 26:22 and Stephen Day 26:36. Kara Macdermid, national junior 5000m champion in 2016 won the womens 6km in 22:07. Maiya Christini was second in 22:19 with Nicole Mitchell third in 22:33. Mel MacPhee was the best of the masters in 24:01 from Nat Hardaker 24:59 and Renae Creser 25:17.

Liam Back won the U/18 4km in 12:23 and Seamus Kane was first U/20 in 12:35. Kirstie Rae won the U/18 4km in 14:12 with Tessa Webb leading in the U/20 in 14:20.

CHRISTCHURCH

Holloway Memorial Cross Country Races, Motukarara Race Course - 9 June 2018

Oska Baynes won the 10km in 32:09 from Ieuan Van der Peet 32:59 and Sean Eustace 33:05. In the masters Vajn Armstrong recorded 35:20, Chris Mardon 35:37 and David Fitch 36:56. Nynke Mulholland won the womens 8km in 30:44, Jessica Schofield was second in 32:53 and Laura Wood third in 33:28. Maggie Chorley in the masters ran 24:23. Mitchell Small won the U/20 6km in 19:46 and Charlie Hazlett the U/18 4km in 13:44. Amelia Persson took out the U/20 4km in 15:21 and Martina Conner the U/18 4km in 14:50.

DUNEDIN

Barnes Cross Country, Kettle Park - 10 June 2018

The mens 5km was won by Richard Fogarty in 25:28. Luke McKinlay was next in 25:57, followed by Nic Bathgate 26:16 and Nathan Shanks 26:35.

Taryn McLean won the womens 3.75km in 22:37 from Emma Sutherland 23:05 and Cilla Dickinson 23:14.

USA

NCAA Div 1 Finals, Eugene OR, 6 June: Matthew Baxter 10,000m 28:39.35 (5). 6/7 June: Aaron Booth decathlon 7458 points (14) (100m 11.13 (+2.2), LJ 7.08m (+2.4), SP 12.95m, HJ 1.92m, 400m 51.02, 110m H 15.85 (+0.1), DT 42.28m, PV 4.51m, JT 57.55m, 1500m 4:36.04). 9 June: Lilli Burdon 5000m 15:43.22 (3), won by Karissa Schweizer in 15:41.58.

Martinez Classic, Concord MA, 7 June: Julian Matthews mile 3:59.95 (8). Julian Oakley 3000m 7:52.36 (2).

AUSTRALIA

Launceston 10km, Launceston Tasmania, 3 June: Caden Shields 30:03 PB (8).

GERMANY

Laufnacht Gala, Regensburg, 3 June: Rhys Bishop 800m 1:52.02 PB (2RB).

HUNGARY

Agoston Schulek Memorial, Budapest, 2 June: Lauren Bruce HT 57.40m (6).

NORWAY

Friidretts Festival, Floro, 2 June: Camille Buscomb 2000m 5:57.35 (2).

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand