WAIS Trio Win National Titles and Earn Comm Games Selection

Western Australian Institute of Sport athletes Kim Mickle (javelin), Liz Parnov (pole vault) and Madison de Rozario (1500m T53) have won national titles at the Australian Athletics Championships in Melbourne to earn selection for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The three will be officially unveiled at Wednesday’s team announcement, with the trio possibly to be joined by Parnov’s teammate Emma Philippe – who claimed silver in the women’s pole vault after clearing a B-Qualifying mark of 4.20m.

Under no doubt of selection however, is reigning WAIS Athlete of the Year Kim Mickle, who dominated the women’s javelin final, registering 64.28m with her fifth round throw, to secure a ninth Australian National Title.

In a domestic season that has seen Mickle break the Australian National record (66.83m), and regularly post Commonwealth Games A-Qualifying standards, there is reason to believe Mickle can head to Glasgow and win gold, after she claimed silver in Delhi in 2010.

With Mickle’s chief domestic rival Kathryn Mitchell absent from competition, national title number nine was always expected for the champion, but a consistent series of throws reinforced her reputation as a world class athlete, and one of Australian athletics’ brightest stars.

Mickle opened with a 61.14m that would’ve been enough for victory in itself ahead of eventual silver medallist Kelsey-lee Roberts (58.58m), but went on to add throws of 62.82m (fourth round), 64.28m and 62.30m (sixth round) in a dominant performance to cap a domestic season, that has seen the 29 year-old win each competition she’s entered.

Mickle was joined as National Champion by fellow WAIS athlete Liz Parnov in a women’s pole vault final that was significantly affected by strong cross winds at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.

Parnov entered competition at 4.10m, clearing with her second attempt, before negotiating 4.20m at her first effort, which was enough to win the title on countback from Philippe, despite three misses at 4.30m. The national championships was Parnov’s second, and allows the 20 year-old to target a productive Commonwealth Games campaign.

“It was a really hectic competition for me out there. I never felt relaxed and that’s not the best way to be so I am so happy to know that it’s done and I’m in,” Parnov said.

“The Commonwealth Games was always the main priority and this was the first step. I’m really happy with where I am right now and I can go away and prepare properly for Glasgow and hopefully deliver a good result.”

2013 Champion and reigning Commonwealth Games title holder Alana Boyd entered the competition at 4.30m, but failed to clear in three attempts, despite being the form jumper across the domestic season.

WAIS athletes Vicky Parnov (3.85m) and Nina Kennedy (no height) also contested the championships.

Silver medallist Emma Philippe becomes a strong candidate for Commonwealth selection, having posted a Commonwealth Games B-Qualifier, but will await official team selection on Wednesday April 9.

Dual Paralympian Madison de Rozario earned selection for Glasgow, after winning the women’s 1500m T53 wheelchair ahead of Christie Dawes and Angie Ballard.

Completing the race in 4:02.56, de Rozario was a comfortable winner ahead of Dawes in 4:03.38 and Ballard in 4:05.23.

Selection for Glasgow, adds to Australian representation at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympic Games, making the 20 year-old arguably the youngest veteran in Australian track and field.