2021 - The Championships - Report

Now that the 2021 track and field Nationals have come to a close and you are back home again, it is time to reflect on what was an incredible 8 days of competition for Athletics Tasmania’s state team.

A successful eight day competition marks Athletics Tasmania’s recap of the 2021 Australian Athletics Championships, held in Sydney across April.

Hammer thrower Arielle Cannell and a strong performance in the distance running events spearheaded the Tasmanian team’s achievements, with Cannell returning home with two gold medals, a silver medal and meet record.

Tasmanian State Team Manager Yvette Edward said, “In her first ever nationals competition, this was an absolutely incredible performance. Arielle is not only a fierce competitor, but a lovely young lady with a bright future ahead.”

While the focus of state, national and often international distance running often revolves around Stewart McSweyn, who claimed a silver medal in the Open 1500m event, his efforts inspired the likes of up and coming athletes such as Luke Palmer (U15 3,000m Gold), Jessica Smith (U15 2,000m Steeple Gold) and Abbie Butler (U18 2,000m Steeple Gold).

Having returned to record running form over the past few months, Deon Kenzie also set the track on fire in the AMB 1500m to claim the national gold medal. Although a slower time to his recent efforts, Kenzie has been peppering the sub-four-minute barrier across domestic races in early 2021.

The Tasmanian team finished with 8 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals. “For a smaller team compared to the bigger states, our output at a national level – not to mention personal bests and achievements along the way – is always a testament to the Tassie spirit,” Edward said.

“Athletics Tasmania couldn’t be prouder of the way our athletes conducted themselves across the championships, highlighted by sincere sportsmanship with other states and the experience taken away from competing at a national event.”

Other outstanding performances included Benjamin Korotki’s efforts in the U15 400m running 52:33 for the silver medal, Caleb Kirkpatrick’s U18 hammer victory, Samuel Lindsay’s U14 3,000m race walk silver, Mikayla Ireland’s silver in the U16 2,000m steeple chase, Blake Doyle’s U15 Triple Jump of 12.99m to claim silver and not to mention the performance from our speedster Chelsea Scolyer who has worked hard to return to incredible form winning the U16 100m in a blistering time of 12:05.

“Championships like this are a team effort,” Edward continues, “Coordination and success at any level is the result of many people working together, so it’s important to recognise the efforts of the parents, coaches and Athletics Tasmania volunteers including Gabby Steele, Robert Ballart (TIS High Performance Officer) as well as Susan Andrews, Roger Hosie and Rosemary Coleman (Event Group Coaches).

Athletics Tasmania Executive Officer Glenn Turnor was full of praises for both the athlete and management team’s performance at the Championships.

“I’ve had nothing but great feedback on how the team was managed, and conducted themselves, in Sydney,” Turnor said.

“The achievements of all our members, whether it be on the podium, achieving a personal best, or returning home with the experience of competing at a national level, is incredibly rewarding.”

With the Championships now concluded, many athletes attention will turn towards a well deserved break, with Athletics Tasmania managers selecting the new season’s Target Talent Program (TTP) based off the performances at the Australian Nationals.