Tuesday, 15 May 2018
After performing strongly at the national junior competition in March, Australia’s under-18 athletes have again risen to the occasion at the Oceania Melanesian Regional Championships in Port Vila, Vanuatu this week.
A team of 100 Australians travelled to an island paradise, to take on the best in the Melanesian region.
The championships form a significant part of the selection process for the Youth Olympic Games, to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October this year.
The rising stars of the UWA Athletics Club were also involved in the action, staking their claim for selection with a series of medals.
Sophie White finished top of the Girls 100m, with a time of 12.19, while also taking gold in the Girls 100m hurdles.
It was the first Australian team event for Sophie, and speaking to Athletics Australia, she praised the experience.
“The championships have been great, the whole team is supportive of each other and the local crowd supports everyone no matter their country.”
Allison Nankivell also took out a gold double, winning both the long jump (5.87m) and triple jump (12.75m).
Rising star and 2017 UWAAC Male Track Athlete of the Year Timothy Throssell also found gold, clearing the 400m hurdles finals.
Timothy is one of Australia’s quickest hurdlers, with his personal best of 52.13 currently ranking him number two in the world.
Adele Smith ran for bronze in the Girls 400m, coming across the line with a time of 57.64.
The young guns of Australian athletics will now look to improve their performances with the Youth Olympics fast approaching in October.
Media references
Louis Humberstone
Graduate Officer, UWA Sport Marketing, Communication and Events
6488 3768
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