Offereins Wins in Athletics Tour Championship Debut
WAIS sprinter Ben Offereins has kicked-off his Australian Athletics Tour campaign in Brisbane with a first round win in the 400m event.
Offereins was one of five WAIS athletes in action with training partner Jody Henry racing in the 200m sprint, whilst the pole vault trio of Alana Boyd, Amanda Bisk and Ellen Pearce all featured in the first leg of a five tour format.
Despite being his first race over the distance for 2011, Offereins recorded a comfortable win in his pet event, stopping the clock at 46.25secs. The win allowed Offereins to take home the eight points for first ahead of Commonwealth Games relay team mate Kevin Moore (2nd, 46.81, 6 points) and New Zealander Alex Jordan (3rd, 46.92).
“I’ve only ran twice so far this year, and not across 400m, so to come out with a comfortable win was great,” Offereins said.
“I’ll be honest and say that I had eight weeks off after Comm (sic) Games and haven’t really done a solid base yet, the past couple of weeks have been my first real set of 400m training.
“My plan this season is to do my thing where I can, peak in April and then battle it out for a spot on the Daegu team.
“It’ll be tough but that’s the plan and that’s what I am working towards.”
Jody Henry took to the starting blocks for the 200m and claimed third place behind the red-hot Sally Pearson – who showed she will be difficult to beat in the sprint/hurdle category of the Tour Championship with a time of 23.05secs to go with her success in the earlier 100m event. Henry crossed in 23.69 and took four points away in her first run under the new format.
Person finished the night in good stead with two race wins, 16 points and a good degree of confidence ahead of the remaining four rounds of the Athletics Tour.
“I’m feeling great, my body is in great shape and I’ve got a lot left in me looking ahead this season,” Pearson said.
“Domestically I am competing everywhere, Hobart’s next week, then Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Nationals.
“I’ll be focusing on sprints, and it’s really exciting to be doing something different.”
WAIS pole vaulters claimed points for finishing second and third in Brisbane, with Ellen Pearce matching her career personal best clearance of 4.00m for silver and six tour points, whilst training partner Amanda Bisk was third on count back from Pearce, collecting four points. Commonwealth Champion Alana Boyd – who is extended preparation, jumping off an eight step run-up, finished further back with a best clearance of 3.70m. The win was taken by QAS athlete Charmaine Lucock, who jumped 4.15 for the win and the eight tour championship points.
The second round of the Athletics Tour will be held in Hobart on February 20 at the Briggs Athletics Classic.
– Athletics Australia