NSW Open Championships: Lovell on track for Paralympic Games success

Published Mon 18 Mar 2024

17 March 2024

The 127th NSW Open track and field championships concluded on Sunday with an impressive number 200m performances from Mali Lovell, Rohan Browning, Josh Azzopardi, Chris Ius, Ella Connolly and Victorian Mia Gross.

Mali Lovell lowers her Australian Open T36 200m record

Last July teenager Mali Lovell ran brilliantly at the World Para-Athletics Championships to win silver in the T36 class 200m, clocking 30.19 seconds. This domestic season she has been in good form with best times of 30.35 and 30.31, but yesterday running into a -1.7 m/s headwind in less favourable cooler conditions she surprised by breaking her Australian record clocking 30.00 seconds. At the last Paralympics in Tokyo that time would have put her on the podium, but since then standards have risen, but likewise Mali is also progressing.

It has been a special week for Mali’s coaches Katie Edwards and Mel Gainsford-Taylor. Last week at the NSW Juniors, Gabby Taylor won the NSW U20 100m/200m double including her first world junior qualifier in the 200m. In the open 100m Olivia Rose Inkster, likewise, nailed her first 100m world junior qualifier. In Brisbane, Katie’s daughter Kristie Edwards clocked a massive 100m PB of 11.28, moving from #33 to #14 Australian all-time.

Consistent teenager Sebastian Sultana sprints to NSW U20 record

Progression comes in two forms, PBs and consistency at a new level. Arriving this season with a best of 10.27. The NSW U20 recordholder, opened with 10.29 in January in Canberra, then clocked 10.37 (headwind), 10.27 (=PB), then last night 10.25 to win the NSW Open Championship in a PB and NSW U20 record time. He held off Ismail Dudu Kamara with 10.27, just 0.01 seconds outside his PB.

Izzi Louison-Roe, now NSW open champion

The brilliant season of 16-year-old Izzi Louison-Roe continued at the NSW open championships. After setting a PB 13.13m in the triple jump to take silver and move to number eight in Australian junior history, Izzi claimed the high jump title in a dual with Alex Harrison as both cleared 1.83m. Izzi’s clean sheet to 1.80m would be the different as both Izzi and Alex cleared 1.83m on their second attempts. Izzi then missed attempts at her ‘official’ PB of 1.86m, although she has also cleared 1.90m in another competition. Alex, now under the coaching of Matt Horsnell, broke her two-year-old PB.

Men’s 400m hurdles best ever

The best ever line-up in a NSW 400m hurdles didn’t disappoint with seven athletes dipping under 53 seconds, and National leader and favourite, Tom Hunt clocking another terrific time of 50.44. Mark Fokas backed up his 51.23 heat time, with a tremendous 51.26. Rohan Laurendet confirmed his successful move from the 800m to the quarter sticks claiming bronze in 52.07. A year ago he started with a best of 55.06 seconds and this summer has set four PBs. Another athlete who continues to set PBs in 18-year-old Matthew Hunt. Since graduating this year to the senior height hurdles (91cm), he has set three PBs and three world junior qualifiers, now down to 52.31.

Thrilling men’s middle-distance races.

Throughout the men’s 1500m race, less than a second separated the leading four athletes, Tom March, Stefan Music, Tom Davies and Archie Ridgeway. Tom Davies led at the bell, but at the finish line Tom March would win the title as just 0.58 seconds separated the top four. In the 800m, Mason Cohen was well positioned in second at the bell behind Ben Jagger. He remained patience until the last 200m to pass Ben, going on to win in 1:47.87, from Obssa Youssouf in a PB 1:48.12.

Thrilling pole vault competition with a surprise winner

Just 10cm separated the athletes on the podium in the women’s pole vault. 3.80m vaulter Megan Seve, defending champion Lizzie Baral and Mya Kearnes all cleared 3.50m to claim silver and a shared bronze respectively. Surprise winner was allround Masters athlete Dash Newington, who produced a clean sheet through to a winning height of 3.60m. She then missed three attempts at a PB of 3.71.

IN BRIEF

Taking all six throws in her season opener, Mackenzie Little was over 59 metres on three attempt, reaching a best of 60.93m in the third round.

The men’s and women’s 200s were quick. Victorian Mia Gross lowered her PB of 23.33 set at the same track in December, to clock 23.16 and hold off Commonwealth Games medal winning relay teammate Ella Connolly who ran 23.39 after a strong heat in 23.42. In the men’s, Rohan Browning got thing going in the heats just missing his PB with 20.73. With Rohan by passing the final, Joshua Azzopardi took the final in 20.83 ahead of Chris Ius with 20.94.

It was a double win for coach Mike Hurst in the 400m events. In the women’s he guided Bec Bennett to gold in 53.62 – her fastest time in four years, just ahead of Jasmin Guthrie with 53.74. In the men’s, Ian Halpin clocked 46.65 for the win, the same title he last won in 2019.

Rising teenage star from Maitland, Jack Deguara, didn’t disappoint with his fifth 400m PB this year and the all-important world junior qualifier with a time of 47.38. He placed fifth in the open final.

16-year-old Chelsy Wayne defended her discus title with a solid distance of 50.56m.

World U20 Champs qualifiers: Olivia Rose Inkster 100m 11.69 (NEW), Jack Deguara 400m 47.38 (NEW), 400m Ella Penman 55.07, Sebastian Sultana 100m 10.25 & 10.40, Paige Campbell 200m 24.26, Alesha Bennetts 400m hurdles 59.21 & 58.29, Izzi Louison Roe HJ 1.83m & TJ 13.13m, Chelsy Wayne DT 50.56m, Charlize Goody QLD DT 50.91m, Matthew Hunt 400m hurdles 52.31 & 53.19 and Alex Richards 100m hurdles 14.07.

Para-Athletics records – NSW Open Championships

Saturday

Long jump