The Olympic shot putter chose the Caledonian to make her first appearance on the summer circuit — and her first competition of 2025 — to claim women’s shot put title at the national athletics championships yesterday.
After three no-throws to start, Wesche — who picked up a silver medal in Paris — unleashed with a throw of 17.81m on her fourth attempt.
That was followed by throws of 18.49m and 18.38m for the Auckland thrower to be crowned the champion.
It was a triple Auckland podium, Natalia Rankin-Chitar winning silver with 15.21m and Kate Hallie producing a personal best of 13.59m for bronze.
Wesche told the Otago Daily Times she felt good about her performance and testing where her distance was at.
"I’m still in heavy training, gearing up for world indoors," Wesche said.
"This was kind of a a bit of a shake out, see what training has produced, so I’m really happy with it.
"I guess no-one would want ... three no-throws to start the day, but it is what it is and I try and get through it."
There has been no rest for Wesche since she wrapped up her four-year cycle in Paris.
She was straight back on the Diamond League and had one week off since returning in December.
But since then, she has been in the gym going through a heavy training block and has spent most of her time rehabing and feeling a little sore.
"It’s good to kind of start to taper a little bit and get out and compete."
Looking back on the Olympics, Wesche could only smile about her success on the big stage.
But there was a deeper meaning behind that smile.
"I think the biggest takeaway was that I got to see my family in the crowd and seeing them outside of the stadium just being so happy — that was the biggest highlight.
"The medal was an added bonus, and I wouldn’t take it away, but having my family there halfway across the world just to support me was something that I don’t think I realised how monumental it was in my life."
They gave her the buzz to push on towards Los Angeles in 2028.
"I’ve got family who were so excited from Paris that they want to come to all the competitions this year.
"In four years time when LA comes around I think I’ll have a whole little tribe coming down."
Wesche’s focus now turns to tapering her training towards the world athletics indoor championships in China later this month.
She then planned to head to China later in the year, hopefully return to the Diamond League and wrap up the year with the world championships in Tokyo.
New Zealand had a handful of elite athletes dominating the national championships yesterday.
Olympic javelin thrower Tori Moorby (nee Peeters) — originally from Gore — looked strong in the women’s javelin and won the title with her throw of 56.15m.
Olympic discus thrower Connor Bell dominated the men’s event with his throw of 60.73m and world under-20 triple jump champion won the men’s event with his leap of 16.33m.
Paralympian William Stedman was back on the track and won the men’s para 400m in 54.51sec.
Olympic champion high jumper Hamish Kerr is in action today, Jacko Gill and Tom Walsh go head-to-head in the men’s shot put, Olympic sprinter Zoe Hobbs will hit the track and Dunedin Paralympian Anna Grimaldi is also in action.
Standout performers
Kayla Hodge finds three stars from day two.
Lisa Hellyer (Auckland)
Hellyer edged out her twin sister to win the women’s under-18 800m in a fascinating race.
Eva Pringle (Canterbury)
Absolutely dominated the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 10min 26.09sec, 29sec ahead of the pack.
Antonie Smal (Auckland)
Entertaining in the mens’ under-20 javelin with a personal best of 62.86m to wipe the competition and win the title.
