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January 26, 2012 Posted by Chris Wainwright in AA Tour Events, Previews, Profiles

Australian Stars of Track and Field Fly into Adelaide for Classic

The Athletics Australia Tour officially launches with the Qantas Adelaide Track Classic, which takes place on the 28th January. After completing meetings in Brisbane and Newcastle, the Adelaide Track Classic is the first meeting where we get to see some of our biggest stars of athletics in Australia - such as Steve Hooker, Jeff Riseley, Ryan Gregson and Alana Boyd. We will also see other World and Olympic representatives such as Benn Harradine, Dani Samuels and Sally Pearson in what shapes as an excellent meeting across many events.

We take a look at some of the great head to head match ups in Adelaide, while also previewing some of the top events to keep a close eye out for on Saturday.

Women's 100m - 6.14pm


AthleteAgePB2012 Best2011 Best2010 Best
Sally Pearson (QLD)2511.14s - 200711.25s11.20s11.28s
Melissa Breen (ACT)2111.33s - 200811.44s11.40s11.34s

Facts and Stats

  • Breen has never defeated Pearson over the 100m, although did come within 0.01sec at the 2010 Sydney Track Classic (11.39s vs. 11.40s).
  • One of the fastest 100m recorded in Adelaide was produced by current Australian record holder, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, who ran 11.40s in 1998.
  • Pearson has only run in Adelaide once, recording a moderate 11.76s way back in 2006. Breen has never competed in Adelaide.
  • Breen's fastest time outside of Canberra was her 11.38s performance in Japan in 2010.
  • Pearson's best performance in the 100m at a major international meeting came at the 2007 World Championships, where she managed to place 8th in her semi final. Breen made the semi finals of the 2008 World Juniors - placing 3rd.

    • Summary

    It would be difficult to see Breen upset Pearson over the 100m, although if Pearson is to break 11.20s then you would expect Breen to be around the 11.35s-11.40s mark - which is just outside her PB set back in 2008 of 11.33s. Last year there was talk of Pearson breaking the long standing National record in the 100m, and if the weather remains hot in Adelaide then maybe the 11.12s record is within sight for Pearson.

    Women's 800m - 6.27pm


    AthleteAgePB2012 Best2011 Best2010 Best
    Kelly Hetherington (VIC)222.02.48 - 20122.02.482.02.892.05.25
    Tamsyn Manou (VIC)331.59.21 - 200053.14s (400m)2.00.78dnc

    Facts and Stats

  • Manou has a 4-0 head to head record against Hetherington, although at the 2011 Briggs Classic in Hobart it was a very close race - with Manou prevailing in 2.04.32 to 2.04.38.
  • Manou averages 1.59.38 for her top-10 career performances, which includes her PB of 1.59.21 - just shy of the National record set by Charlene Rendina of 1.59.00.
  • Manou has represented Australia at four World Championships and will be hoping to make her fourth Olympic Games team in 2012. Her best performance at a major Championships came when she placed 4th in her semi final at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (1.59.33).
  • Hetherington has only represented Australia at the World University Games, making the semi finals in 2011 - although looks the most likely to take over as the no.1 800m runner in Australia after the retirement of Manou.
  • Manou's fastest time in Adelaide came back in 2002, when she ran 2.00.88 to place second to Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia - who also recorded the same time of 2.00.88.

    • Summary

    Manou vs. Hetherington

    The women's 800m again looks set to be one the events of the meet, with the Manou and Hetherington taking on the likes of 1500m star Zoe Buckman (PB of 2.02.50), Holly Noack (Zatopek winner), Katherine Katsanevakis and Sianne Toemoe. Throw in 2011 Australian junior champion Eliza Curnow (2nd at the Zatopek meeting) and you end up with a quality 800m field.

    Manou is coming off a first up win at the Hunter Track Classic (53.14s) over the 400m, and stated that she will retire after the London Olympics. In saying this Adelaide will provide a good guide to seeing whether Manou can push for the "A" qualifier for London of 1.59.90, although there is every opportunity that Hetherington can upset Manou on Saturday - after showing impressive form in Brisbane and also late in 2011 (where she ran a very fast 1000m). Also watch out for the in form Buckman, who could give her PB a shake of 2.02.50 providing there is speed in the race.

    Men's 1500m - 6.58pm


    AthleteAgePB2012 Best2011 Best2010 Best
    Ryan Gregson (NSW)213.31.06 - 2010n.a3.36.643.31.06
    Jeff Riseley (VIC)253.32.93 - 2009n.a3.33.423.42.70

    Facts and Stats

  • Riseley leads Gregson 3-1 in head to head competition over the 1500m, although the two wins in 2011 were when Gregson wasn't at his very best. Riseley also has a win over Gregson over the two laps back in 2009 in Osaka, Japan.
  • Gregson's biggest win over Riseley came at the 2010 Australian Championships, where he took the title in 3.44.99 to Riseley's 3.45.15.
  • Gregson placed 5th in the final of the 1500m at both the World Youth Championships in 2007 and the World Juniors in 2008. Riseley didn't compete for Australia as a junior, although has competed at the 2008 Olympics (placing 11th in his heat) and also the World Championships in both 2009 and 2011.
  • Riseley managed his second fastest time of his career in 2011 - a 3.33.42 in Monaco. This was just outside his PB of 3.32.93 set back in 2009.
  • In 2010 Gregson broke the long standing Australian record (Simon Doyle - 3.31.96 from 1991), with an outstanding 3.31.06 in Monaco. Did you also know that Gregson holds the fastest ever time in the world as an 18 year-old - his 3.37.24 set at the Sydney Track Classic back in 2009.

    • Summary

    Jeff Riseley

    It was an up and down year for both Gregson and Riseley in 2011, with both athletes ending the year a little frustrated. They haven't actually competed against each other on many occasions, even though they are both out of the same training group - so Adelaide will be an interesting affair, with both athletes coming off big training stints at Falls Creek.

    There doesn't look to be too much speed in the race, so the expectation isn't for a super fast time. In saying this both Riseley and Gregson would love to move past one of their training partners, Jordan Williamsz, and take over the Australian leading time in 2012 - set at 3.39.74. We also get to see Nick Toohey in action in Adelaide (who is capable of going under 3.40.00), while Jesse Beadman will looking for his first World Junior qualifier (3.47.50).

    Women's 5000m - 6.42pm


    AthleteAgePB2012 Best2011 Best2010 Best
    Emily Brichacek (ACT)2115.38.10 - 201215.38.1016:22 (Road)16.17.06
    Georgie Clarke (VIC)2715.24.03 - 2008n.a16:43 (Road)16:57 (Road)

    Facts and Stats

  • Both Brichacek and Clarke have never competed against each other over 5000m on the track.
  • Clarke has broken 16:00 on 7 occasions throughout her career, including twice under 15:30 in 2008 - when she was attempting to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
  • 21 year-old Brichacek has run sparingly over 5000m, but recently smashed her PB in Sydney (Jan 14), with a very encouraging 15.38.10.
  • Brichacek's best international performance came when she placed 11th at the World Junior Cross Country Championships in 2009, while Clarke made the semi finals of the 1500m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a 16 year-old.

    • Georgie Clarke

    Summary

    Brichacek and Clarke will be joined by the likes of Jessica Trengove, Belinda Martin and Lara Tamsett in what should be a quality women's 5000m. Brichacek looks to be in form athlete, although Clarke has run some fast 3000m races over the past 12 months - which will ensure that it is a close finish. Never discount Tamsett who was the no.1 road runner in 2011, although could be suited to longer distances at this stage of her career (PB of 15.28.70 from 2010).

    Both Brichacek and Clarke will be looking for a time around 15:30.00, knowing that it will give them confidence in attacking the "A" qualifier for London of 15:15.00 over the coming months.

    Other Highlights

    • Aaron Rouge-Serret vs. Mitchell Williams-Swain - men's 100m. Josh Ross entered in the 'B' race.
    • Sally Pearson - women's 200m - can she break the magical 23.00sec barrier for the first time?
    • Youcef Abdi vs. James Nipperess - the master versus apprentice scenario. What can Nipperess produce against the no.1 Australian steeplechaser?
    • Dani Samuels and Benn Harradine in the discus throw - both have warmed up at the Hunter Track Classic and are ready to produce season's bests in Adelaide.
    • Kathryn Mitchell - fresh off producing a stunning "A" qualifier in the women's javelin of 62.51m
    • Alana Boyd - is in career best form in the women's pole vault and is ready to take it to the next level, and break her existing PB of 4.60m
    • Steve Hooker - will be off a shortened run up but who cares - he's back and ready to jump 5.30m in Adelaide
    • Brooke Stratton - also in career best form after superb 6.60m long jump in 2011. Is currently the no.2 ranked U/20 long jumper in the world.

    So there you have it, a wonderful line up of our very best track and field stars. We wish all competitors the best of luck as we commence the Qantas AA Tour (officially)!

    Adelaide Track Classic - Boyd Delivers with 4.61m Pole VaultNational Update - Brisbane, Newcastle plus Vaulters Flying High in Perth
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    Tags: 2012 Adelaide Track Classic, Alana Boyd, Benn Harradine, Jeff Riseley, Kelly Hetherington, melissa breen, Ryan Gregson, Sally Pearson, Tamsyn Manou
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