Cameron and Mackenzie’s throwing heading in the right direction

29 December 2020

Cameron and Mackenzie’s throwing heading in the right direction

Two athletes that have managed the challenges of 2020 well, are javelin throwers Mackenzie Little and Cameron McEntyre. Both have this year moved into strong prospects for the delayed Tokyo Olympics. Training partners in the Sydney-based Angus McEntyre squad, they now sit sixth and tenth respectively, on the Australian all-time.

Athletes strive for improvement, but as important is consistency, and that has been a trademark of Little and McEntyre this summer. Both have set personal bests, and all throws have been over 60 metres and 80 metres respectively.

“I’m happy to start getting some consistency in comps,” said Little (Sydney Uni). In 2018 she threw a pb of 60.36m to win her first of two NCAA (US College) titles. But she would wait 28 months to surpass that with a throw of 61.42m in October 2020. Then last week at the Albie Thomas meet, her second throw of the season, she was again over the 60 metre barrier, reaching 60.29m, closing the year ranked 16th in the world.

Similarly, Angus McEntyre (Sydney Pacific) has been magnificent this summer. In October 2020, he added nearly three metres to his PB nailing 81.51m, moving from 15th to 10th Australian all-time. He maintained that consistency last week, belting the 800 grams spear again over 80 metres with 80.83m. His 81.51m throw places him 23rd in world in 2020.

Reflecting on 2020, both have flourished under the restrictions.

After four years studying in America, and training stints in Canberra and Europe, Mackenze Little has settled back into her hometown of Sydney.

“Actually this year has gone quite well despite the challengers. I’ve really settled into a routine with Angus, he has great access to facilities to train when others are closed. That has been invaluable so I couldn’t be in a better spot.”

Following her undergraduate medical degree at Stanford University, she commenced postgraduate study at Sydney University in 2020.

“First year of medicine was demanding, but it was really interesting. It worked out quite well not having some of the travel to and from uni. Next year I have more clinical placement time which will be closer to home and my training than university, so it is working out nicely and things are falling into place.”

There has also been another important difference for Little in 2020. Between March 2019 and February 2020, she competed in 16 competitions in five countries, including four USA States and four Australian States, but COVID has been an opportunity to take a break from competition.

“…sometime to focus without the pressure of competition,” she said. “I needed a solid block without always having to be prepared for something.”

Last summer Cameron McEntyre had improved from 74 to 78 metres, and he has just continued that form this summer.

“To come out and throw 81 and now 80 again, makes me keen to see what the Australian series has, and hopefully it keeps going,” he said.

“I managed to keep training off the back of last summer, and maintained it throughout the winter.”

What are their prospects for the Tokyo Olympics?

McEntyre sits a close second on the national rankings. He needs 85 metres for the automatic standard, or to be top-32 ranked in the world. He currently sits at number 44 on the world points rankings. For Mackenzie, she sits atop of the national rankings in the absence of world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber who was due to open her season in Brisbane last March. Also, national record holder, Kathryn Mitchell, had the solidary throw of 59 metres in January. Little needs 64 metres for the automatic standard or to be top-32. Pleasingly she is currently number 28 on the world points rankings.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Mackenzie Little and Cameron McEntyre (courtesy of David Tarbotton)