5 February 2005 | 7.14pm
Canberra produced more than expected at today’s Telstra A-series, with several world championships qualifiers and two national under 18 records.
AIS athlete Tim Parravicini cemented his place among the top long jumpers in Australian history, dominating the men’s event at the Canberra Telstra A-series today (Saturday 5th February).
The 24-year-old showed he is well and truly over his injuries of the last two years, leaping a massive 8.18m (wind 1.7m/s), the fifth best leap ever by an Australian, behind greats such as Jai Taurima, Peter Burge, Gary Honey and Shane Hair. It was also a new personal best for the 24 year old and a world championships B-qualifier, just two centimetres short of the A standard.
“I’m pretty stoked, so happy I did it… there’s more inside me… looking forward to Melbourne A-series” Parravicini said.
Also in the long jump, 17-year-old 
Chris Noffke set a new national under 18 record, leaping a personal best of 7.80m (wind 1.4m/s 
). It was also another World Youth qualifier for the youngster.
In third place was John Thornell with 7.76m, who pulled out after his third jump, due to a groin injury, but is expected to be fit and ready to battle it out again at the Melbourne Telstra A-series.
In form Daniel Batman clocked his second world championships A-qualifier in just as many weeks, but this time in the 200m. Batman clocked 20.58secs behind Nigeria’s Ambrose Ezenwa (20.49) and Cameroon’s Joseph Batangdon (20.56). NSW athlete Kris Neofytou and Patrick Johnson clocked world championships B-qualifying times of 20.60secs and 20.74secs respectively.
In the men’s 100m, unofficial placings saw Ambrose Ezenwa cross the line first ahead of Josh Ross second and Daniel Batman in third, with Patrick Johnson :eek: in sixth. No official times were recorded due to a timing equipment failure. Matt Shirvington :eek: :eek: :eek: was forced to withdraw from the final, due to a minor hamstring strain.
In the women’s discus, 17-year-old Dani Samuels was impressive, finishing second to Queensland’s Monique Nacsa, throwing a massive personal best and new under 18 Australian record, of 55.07metres. Nacsa won with a throw of 56.40m. Samuels also took out the women’s shot, throwing 14.76metres.
In other highlights:
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Victoria’s Lauren Hewitt stamped her authority on women’s sprints, mowing down her opposition in both events. Hewitt claimed victory in the 100m clocking 11.52secs (wind:1.1m/s), ahead of Perth Telstra A-series winner Preya Carey (11.79secs) and Sally McLellan in third (11.81secs).
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Women’s 400m: Tamsyn Lewis looked strong in the women’s 400m, crossing the line in 53.05, several meters ahead of fellow Victorian Renee Robson (53.90).
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Men’s 400m:
David Geddes (OUR “DAZED”) won the men’s one lap in 46.58secs ahead of James Gurr (46.99) and Clinton Hill (47.06). -
Women’s 3000m: Victoria’s Sarah Jamieson came within seconds of Benita Johnson’s meet record, crossing the line in 8:51.12 ahead of Georgie Clarke (9:06.60). Anna Thompson was third (9:08.91) while Kerryn McCann finished fourth (9:12.45).
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Men’s 3000m: Victorian’s dominated, with Richard Jeremiah claiming the win in 8:03.43, David Ruschena in second (8:08.53) and Lee Troop in third (8:10.15).
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Men’s Discus: Scott Martin was again over 60m, winning the event in 60.50m.
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Men’s Hammer: Canberra’s Stuart Rendell won by over 10metres, throwing 73.40m.
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Men’s shot put: An encouraging result from Queensland’s Rhys Jones throwing 19.41metres (just short of his personal best of 19.54m) for the win ahead of Scott Martin (18.76m).
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Seated shot: World record holder Hamish McDonald threw 10.08m for the win.
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100m Ambulant: Paralympic medalist Heath Francis claimed victory in the men’s event with 11.64secs, while in the women’s event, Paralympic champion Amy Winters clocked 13.08secs ahead of Lara Hollow Williams (14.02secs).
Full Results
See Race Results Thread