Otago athletes had mixed results at the national championships in Hamilton over the weekend.
National javelin record-holder Tori Peeters had to settle for second place, beaten by Auckland thrower Madeline Chapman, who threw 50.98m, 16cm further than Peeters, although the distances were well below what Peeters has thrown lately.
Laura Overton, of Otago, finished third with a throw of 48.99m.
In the under-18 men’s grade, Sam Gouverner finished second in the 400m in 51.12sec.
Rory McSweeney easily won the Parafed javelin with a throw of 47.71m.
Todd Bates was third in the senior men’s hammer, recording 53.96m, behind the winner, Matthew Bloxham.
Oli Chignall had a good meet, finishing second in both the 1500m and the 5000m in the under-20 grade. Also picking up a medal in the under-20 grade was Hugh McLeod-Jones, who was third in the hammer.
Hamish Mears was third in the under-18 discus, throwing 45.13m. In the same grade, Cameron Miller was third in the long jump, with a distance of 6.59m.
Sammy Burke, of Wanaka, was second in the under-20 5000m women in 17min, 16.46sec.
Holly Robinson easily won the Parafed javelin with a throw of 42.54, with Caitlin Dore, another Otago athlete, finishing second with a throw of 22mRio Paralymic gold medallist Anna Grimaldi won the long jump with a leap of 5.38m and then finished fifth in the senior women’s long jump with a leap of 5.57m.
