Jordan Williamsz - A Classic Night

by Chris Wainwright

With the rain and wind ensuring that top performances were hard to come by at the 2009 version of the Zatopek Classic, there was one junior who did shine. In not dismissing the record breaking performance by Ryan Gregson in the U20 Men’s 3000m (8.02.56– which broke the existing meeting record held by the very talented junior in Michael Power of 8.02.94), the run by 17 year-old Jordan Williamsz in the men’s 1500m was one to remember.

Although his final placing of 7^th is nothing to write home about, the time of 3.46.06 should not be overlooked. Why was it such a great performance? Well we’ll go through some interesting notes regarding the run:

1.       the time was only 0.44sec away from breaking Michael Power’s U18 Victorian record of 3.45.62 set back in 1994;

2.       the time was just over two seconds away from the U18 Australian record held by Ryan Gregson (3.43.84 in 2007);

3.       Williamsz smashed his previous personal best by over four seconds (a 3.50.16 recorded when winning the U18 1500m at the recent Australian All-Schools in Hobart -  a performance that also broke the long standing championship record set way back in 1977 by Mike Hillardt);

4.       the time was also well under the 2010 World Junior Championship qualifying time for the 1500m of 3.47.50;

5.       Williamsz was able to beat home some quality middle distance athletes in Lachlan Renshaw and Bradley Woods;

6.       and finally the performance came less than a week after winning the 800m (1.51.85) / 1500m (3.50.16) double at the Australian All-Schools.

It is certainly a great way to finish off the 2009 season, a year which saw Williamsz qualify for the World Youth Championships (in the 800m, where he finished in 11^th place overall) and which has seen the 17 year-old finish with new personal bests of 1.50.44 in the 800m (set at the Victorian Championships in March) and his 3.46.06 for the 1500m from the Zatopek Classic. The decision to be made for Williamsz now is what will he concentrate on in 2010 – the 800m or 1500m? Either way it will be another big year for the Knox AC athlete, with his Knox teammate, 1500m champion Jeff Riseley, certainly being a fantastic role model!

-          placed 7^th at the Victorian Championships (800m – 1.50.44)

-          placed 3^rd at the Australian Junior titles in Adelaide (1500m – 3.57.29)

-          placed 4^th in 800m semi final (1.52.19) at the World Youth Championships

-          placed 7^th at the Zatopek Classic (1500m – 3.46.06)

-          won both the 800m and 1500m titles at the Australian All-Schools

Williamsz also won the 2008 U17 Pacific School Games in both the 2000m steeplechase (a record time of 6.09.30) and 1500m, while he was also 2^nd in the 3000m. He also won the 1500m Australian Junior Championships in 2008, and took out the 2000m steeplechase Australian Junior titles in both 2007 and 2008.

2009 – 1.50.44; 2008 – 1.52.10;

2009 – 3.46.06; 2008 – 3.54.60