Hunter Track Classic Preview 2012

Mike Hazle, 32, a World Championship and Olympic Games javelin representative, will be challenged by a good domestic field, fresh from a quality competition in Brisbane last Saturday night. In the absence of World Championships finalist, Tasmanian Hamish Peacock and NSW’s Matt Outzen look in promising form following throws of 77.34m and 75.75m, ahead of Hazle’s season opening throw of 74.05m. Hazle, who has throw seven times over 81 metres and had a 2011 best of 81.09m should be capable of approaching those distances in Newcastle. The one to watch will be Brisbane’s Josh Robinson, on the comeback after a break. The 80 metre thrower opened his season with 72 metres in Brisbane will be looking to improve in Newcastle. Local interest  will surround former national champion, Ben Baker (Forster) who has a best of 77.13m.

Russ Winger (USA) will be ideal competition for Australia’s rising shot put star Dale Stevenson (Vic), who is the country’s third best ever with a personal best of 20.05m. Winger, who has 10 career putts over 20.50m, reacj 20.94m last season. Sydney-based Samoan, Emanuele Fuamatu, is in caree best form following a putt of 19.40m last month. Paralympic hopeful, Guy Henley will be aiming to raise his best of 11.75m. 

However in the discus, Russ Winger, may have a tougher battle to defeat World Championships finalist, Benn Harradine. Winger’s has a best of 66.04m, while Harradine set a national record of 66.45m in 2010. World champion, Dani Samuels, a 65 metre thrower, will also lineup in the quality field and will ensure a close three-way battle.

The men’s 1500 metres field has been boosted by the inclusion of Great Britian’s Commonwealth games 1500m finalist, Nick McCormick, 30, who has a personal best of 3:35.74 and last season competed at the European Indoor Championships. The main interest will be how James Kaan opens his 2012 domestic season. The national 800 metre champion looks to be chasing Olympic selection in the longer 1500m. Jeremy Roff, who finished a few places behind McCormick at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, will be looking for a good start to the season. Others of interest include: half-mile specialist Lachlan Renshaw, a rejuvenated James Nipperess thanks to the new challenge of the steeplechase. Teenage Victorian Jordan Williamsz, with a personal best of 3:40.96, will be competitive. The biggest improver this season has been the former Australian junior 1500m/5000m champion Cameron Page. The Central Coast athlete, Page has slashed his personal bests this season including a stunning solo 13:54.41 5000m.



The women’s 400m is a tremendous field with half the field owning personal bests faster than 53.4 and the remainder of the filed under 54.3. Fastest is Tamsyn Manou (nee Lewis), who always runs well in the hometown of her mother Carol, a national high jump champion. But she will face the challenge of Pirrenee Steinert, the home town favourite, who after missing most of the 2010/11 season due to injury, has run herself if to top form, last month clocking 200m personal best and her third fastest 400m time. Two Queensland Caitlin’s, at the opposite ends of their career, also provide quality competition. Teenager Caitlin Sargent, won silver in the 2011 nationals, while Caitlin Pincott, 29, is looking to add Olympic selection to her tremendous career which has seen her run at two World Championships, the World Cup and win a Commonwealth Games gold.

NSW’s powerful sprint stocks will be out in force at Hunter. In the men’s 100m, Tim Leathart, who has twice run 10.48 this season, will be challenged by Isaac Ntimoah a two-time World Championships representative. But great interest will surround the return to his home, by Josh Ross. Australia’s third fastest 100m runner ever at 10.08, Ross, now based in Melbourne, will return to the area he was raised and developed into one of Australia’s finest ever sprinters.

Central Coast Commonwealth Games 400m gold medallist, Kevin Moore, faces quality competition in the men’s 200m. The charge will be led by the fastest in Australian this season, Qld’s Andrew McCabe and NSW’s best, Nick Hough, 18, who last season was the first Aussie to cross the line in the Sydney Track Classic 200m.

Other leading events and stars include:

800m: can anyone challenge James Gurr after his great early season win in Brisbane in 1:47.31.

1500m: Last season, at just 21, ACT’s Zoe Buckman clocked 4:05.06, the third fastest 1500m in Australia history. Can she clock an Olympic A standard of 4:06.00 in Newcastle.

400m hurdles men and women: World Championships training partners have nearly identical tasks to qualify for the London Olympics. Brendan Cole and Lauren Boden both have personal bests exactly 0.15 under the Olympic standards of 49.50 and 55.40 respectively. They will also try and impress selectors with their 400m speed to earn relay selection. 

High jump women: Three World Junior team aspirants, Tasmania’s Katilin Morgan and NSW pair Amy Prjkovic and Emily Crutcher will be battling just two team places this season.  

High Jump men: A legend of the sport and local athlete, Nick Moroney will aim to continue his amazing longevity here. Moroney has leapt 2.10m for the last 22 season, since 1990, and in Newcastle will be looking for that height for his 23rd consecutive season.

Other feature of the meet are:

There will be a prize money pool of $10000 offer to athletes.

A Little athletics under-14 teams competitions will again be held at the meet.

The day after the meet, a junior coaching clinic will be conducted.

First event starts at 4.30pm. 

Ticket prices are General Admission - $10, Child (U/16) - $5 and Gold Reserve Seating - $15

More information is available on the meet website: http://huntertrackclassic.com.au/