Second national title in 2022 for Rose Davies

13 March 2022

Second national title in 2022 for Rose Davies

In less familiar events, big wins for Rose Davies in the 3000m and Bendere Oboya in the 800m, were the highlights for NSW at the annual Chemist Warehouse Sydney Track Classic, held at Homebush last evening.

Women’s 3000m

Just four days after she won a 5000m in 15:23.64 in windy conditions in Melbourne, Rose Davies (NEW) won her second national title in six weeks. On Australia day, Rose defended her national 10,000m crown, then dropping down to 3000m last night in Sydney, she won her second national title in 2022. In a tactical race, and clocking 9:06.35, Rose just held off Natalie Rule (Vic) 9:06.68, with NSW’s Campbell sisters Holly and Paige placing third and fourth respectively, in times of 9:08.03 and 9:09.92.

Rose who competed at the Tokyo Olympics in the 5000m and has won the last two Zatopek 10,000m, found the shorted distance a little challenging.

“There was so much pushing and shoving I wasted so much energy just holding my place,” said Rose. “I guess I’m not used that that type of race. I’m mostly used to more consistent pace and we are out there for more laps so you can settle.

“I knew if I wanted to beat some of the girls here I had to go from a long way out. I know Jenny has a good kick and Nat also.

“I think I was a bit tired after Box Hill last week. I tried to block that out and just get ready for this as this was more important than Box Hill, so I’m glad I got the win here.”

In 13th place, Laura Roderick (RBH) ran a 17 seconds PB time of 9:26.74, to achieve a World U20 Championships qualifier in her third event, following times in the 1500m and 5000m recently.

Women’s 800m

Still learning the event and in just her second outing over two laps, 400m Tokyo Olympian Bendere Oboya (UTN) clocked a near one second PB of 2:01.96 to win the 800m from 16-year-old Claudia Hollingsworth (Vic) 2:02.34.

Bendere tired up at the end, after passing the bell in a super quick 55 seconds.

“I’m so lactic. But when I see those times and I see what I ran through the first lap, ‘damit’ I couldn’t hold on.

This is just my second race and every race I learn.”

Bendere was keeping an eye on her opposition as they chased her down the back straight on lap two.

“I was looking at the big screen a lot, trying to see where everybody else was. It is hard to run in front and I lost myself a little bit there. But we learn from that and I’m happy with it.”

She is embracing the change to a new event.

“800s are fun and I’m loving it and it was a PB !!”

The quick race up front dragged two NSW teenagers to stunning times. Port Macquarie’s Hayley Kitching clocked the eighth fastest time in Australian junior history clocking 2:03.87. In nineth, Montana Monk (NEW) sliced nearly two seconds from her PB to run 2:04.70.

Commonwealth hope

NSW country athlete, Indi Cooper continue to press her hope of Commonwealth Games selection in the T37 100m para event. She clocked a personal best time of 14.29, but remains in eighth place in the commonwealth rankings. The first seven ranked athletes will automatically receive an invitation to compete at the Games in Birmingham in July 2022.

Men’s 3000m

The men’s national 3000m title was an extraordinarily high standard event with 12 of the 16 finishers achieving PBs ranging from 5 to 19 seconds. Seven athletes set a 10+ seconds PB. NSW athletes were in the mix with Cameron Griffith (TRI) just missing the title by 0.04 seconds, clocking 7:47.30. Rorey Hunter (BAN) just missed the podium, placing fourth in 7:47.66. His training partner and Tokyo Olympian Jye Edwards was seventh in 7:51.13.

Other performances of note:

Charlie Jeffreson (KING) equalled his 800m PB of 1:47.60 to placed fifth in the men’s race.

There was an extraordinary improvement of 2.80m in the hammer throw by Tim Heyes (UTN), reaching 68.31m. The mark moved him from #29 to #18 Australian all-time.

Alex Hulley (SUT) nailed a 2022 best of 68.94m, the fifth longest of her career. It was also fifth 67+m throw this summer, maintaining a season goal of consistency.

National leader, Desleigh Owusu (UTN) continues to improve with a PB of 13.18m in the triple jump.

Other NSW athletes to achieve a World U20 Champs qualifier were: Connor Bond 100m 10.56 =PB, Olivia Inkster 100m 11.88, Aleksandra Stoilova 100m 11.75, Bella Guthrie 400m hurdles 58.72, Jasmin Guthrie 400m 54.10 and Paige Campbell 400m 54.35.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Men's 3000m finish (courtesy of David Tarbotton)