Category Archives: 2011/12 Media Releases

11.44 for Breen at Blacktown

21 year old Melissa Breen has finished off a busy 2 week competition stimulus period with an impressive 100m in 11.44 (1.7w) at Blacktown in Sydney.

“It was a long day after getting up at 615am and driving up from Canberra and then running at 11am” Breen explained. “I actually didn’t feel super quick today after so many races recently, the early start and 3 hour travel on the day so I know there is improvement to be had from the run.”

Breen has now had 13 races in 11 days with 11 in Tasmania in 3 gifts, a 60m (7.33) in Canberra on the 5th Jan and the 100m today at Blacktown.

“I will now get back into a training block to fit around the Brisbane and Adelaide meets in January” said Breen when asked what was coming up. She will compete in a 4 x 100m relay as well as an individual 100m in Brisbane and then do the 100m and 200m in Adelaide.

“I am only 0.15 off the ‘A’ standard for the Olympics with that run so that gives me great confidence that I can get under 11.29seconds during the domestic season and be selected for the 100m in London.”

In other squad results at Blacktown Ollie Wurm ran 54.67 in the 400m Hurdles. When asked about the race Wurm said “It wasn’t that pretty but it was just good to get one under the belt.” Technically he made a few errors which shows great room for improvement and he is sure to improve on his personal best in the next few months.

Chloe Jamieson (62.06) and Rachael Carnegie (67.48) also ran in the 400m Hurdles. It was Chloe’s first race since World Youth and Rachael’s first completed 400m Hurdles race in a couple of years. Both will improve massively from this competition.

Daniel Batman (10.86) and Brandan Galic (11.06) with a 0.5w rounded out the results for the MattyB DEPT. Both are on the comeback trail and will continue their rapid improvements in the coming weeks.

Video Footage of today

Boden runs fastest season opening 400m hurdles

In a solo run at AACT interclub Lauren Boden has opened up with her first 400m Hurdles of the season in a blistering time of 56.62 which is an Olympic Games “B” qualifier.

“I have never broken 57 in my first run for the season so to do it tonight is awesome” Boden explained. The fact she has opened up with her first run slightly earlier due to the earlier Olympic trials is even better.

Boden will next run at the Brisbane track classic on the 14th January in the 4 x 400m relay and will then run over the 400m Hurdles again at the Hunter track classic on the 21st January.

In other results Melissa Breen carried her great form from the Tasmanian gift carnival running a quick 7.33 in the 60m (1.5w). Tom Burbidge after a slow start finished home too strongly in the 400m running 48.45 with training partners Jesse Matthews (50.08) and Luke Storta (50.33) wnd and 3rd. Finally after making some errors in the 400m Hurdles Rachael Carnegie competed in the 200m running strongly in a mixed race to clock 25.47 (2.4w)

Footage available here

BJ takes Burnie Gift

Footage of Tasmanian Gift races now available

5 time national 400m Hurdles champion Brendan Cole has captured his first ever gift win taking out the prestigious Burnie Gift.

Running from 5.25m Cole took victory by a mere 3 thousands over local athlete Edward Gates with former Stawell Giftwinners Adrian Mott third. The time was a quick 12.13

After an lengthy wait as the officials studied the photo finish Cole and the MattyB DEPT  crew exploded with excited.

“Matty came over to me and thought I had won and I had a feeling a had got it on the line but when you announced me as the official winner I felt like a little kid in a candy store.”

30 year old Cole will now focus on securing a berth in the 2012 Olympic team for London.

“Victory today in this gift is an extremely positive way to start off what is a huge year for me. I will probably retiring at the end of 2012 so to finally win a gift is a great feeling.”

In other squad results Melissa Breen completed  a wonderful series of races to finish second in the Women’s Gift behind LJ Hilditch.

“To break 14 seconds off 0.25m is the fastest I have ever run on the grass so I just can’t wait to get on a track and run now.”

Tom Burbidge, Luke Storta and Lauren Boden all made their 400m finals with Tom finishing third.

The squad finished the 3 carnivals with 5 victories, multiple finalists and over $19,000 in prize money.

Thanks go to the TAL and in particular Rod Walker for his support and we look forward to coming down againnext year.