Breen joins Boden as the only 2 track females in 2010 to gain the Commonwealth Games “A” standard

19 year old Melissa Breen became the third MattyB DEPT athlete to achieve the A standard for the Commonwealth Games with a superb 11.34 (1.0w) to take out the Act State Championships 100m title. Exploding from the blocks Breen was never headed and crossed the line under the 11.35 standard. Melissa will now focus on the National Titles to confirm her place on the team for India.

Lauren Boden continued her great form from the Sydney Track Classic to run another A standard of 55.85 seconds. Boden set the race up with confidence and despite a not so perfect last hurdle which cost her some time she was able to comfortably break the 56 second barrier for the second time in a month. Training partner Tarin Nevin finished 4^th in a season best of 63.06 showing that she is returning to her best form right in time for the national titles in 3 weeks time.

Three other squad members took out their ACT State title including:

• Brendan Cole – 400m Hurdles 50.62
• Stephen Sheppard – 100m 11.18 (0.8) also 11.05 (2.4) in the heat
• Jesse Matthews – 400m 50.10 also 49.94 in the heat

In other exciting news Brandan Galic made a promising return to racing despite having some trouble with the starters. Brandan was unfortunately issued with a false start in his heat so then ran as an invitation only later in the day. Galic crossed the line in a time of 10.70 showing that he is now over an injury that has hung around for almost 18 months. Brandan will now focus on a good build up and winter before coming out again for competition in late 2010.

Video Footage of AACT State Champs click here

Melissa Breen continued her great from in Melbourne to take out the Women’s 100m in commanding fashion in a time of 11.41 (1.3). The conditions on the night were not as favourable as Sydney and without Sally McLellan in the field to push her along this run was extremely impressive.

It has already been an outstanding domestic season for the 19 year old with numerous runs in the 11.40’s which is under the B standard for the Commonwealth Games on various tracks around the country. This consistency is sure to lead to a another jump in improvement in the next month with a couple of runs on some of the fastest tracks inthe country planned.

With no 400m Hurdles on the program for the Women Lauren Boden tried her hand at the flat 400m. Lauren set up the race with real agression and coming into the straight with 100m to go she was just behind race winner Jody Henry and runner up Tamsyn Lewis. Despite losing some form in the past 50m Lauren held on to run a new personal best of 53.70.

Brendan Cole put up a strong challenge to multiple major championship medalist Danny MacFarlane in the 400m Hurdles. Cole set up the race much quicker then his race in Sydney and going through half way was right with Danny. Unfortunately he hit 3 of the last 5 hurdles costing him valuable time and a chance to take victory. Despite this he finished with another B qualifier for the Commonwealth Games with 50.45.  

The night finished with a very exciting race for the Matty DEPT. with the running of the 4 x 400m. The squad team took on two Australian teams, New Zealand, Australian Junior and various other state teams.

Lead off by Tom Burbidge (@48 second leg) the team changed the baton in 3rd position. Brendan Cole ran a superb second leg (@46.9 second split) to take the squad team to the lead at the half way point. Jesse Matthews (@49 second split) lead down the back straight until the 2 Australian teams made there move in the last 100m. The final runner Brendan Matthews (@47.9 second split) then proceeded to show little respect for himself or the Australian team runners namely Ben Offereins and Sean Wroe when he charged past Ben down the back straight and then ran right up along side Sean with 150m to go. He did pay the price in the past 50m but it was very exciting action indeed.

The squad team broke their own ACT record running 3.12.44

Click here for Video of the Meet

Click here for Melissa Breen interview with Runners Tribe