Media Room
Press ReleasesJune 16, 2008
Olympic Standards Fall In Richmond
The PacifiCanada Track and Field Series kicked off at the Kajaks International Track Classic last night with a cascade of outstanding performances, smashing 4 Olympic qualifying marks and 7 PacifiCanada records.
The outstanding performance of the evening was the javelin mark of Scott Russell of Windsor, Ontario. The 29 year old graduate of the University of Kansas tossed the spear 83.20 meters to move up the world list to the top 15 and crush the Olympic A+ standard by 2.20m and set a new series standard. This 6' 7' tips the scales at 269 lbs and set the Canadian Record of 84.41m in 2005. He now seems like an automatic for the Beijing bound Canadian Olympic team.
Brian Barnett, 21 year old from Edmonton moved closer to an Olympic experience with two outstanding performances of 10.28 (+0.8) and 20.56 (0.0) in the sprints. The 100m time met the Olympic B standard while his 200m reached A. The 100m was a personal best while both his marks are series records. This 6' 1", 185 pound sprinter was second in the World Junior Championships in 2006.
Other series records were set by Ryan McKenzie of Windsor, Ontario with his 7:54.61 win over 3000m, Will Conwell of Seattle with his discus throw of 58.56m, Liz Gleadle of Vancouver with a 52.00m launch in the javelin and Megan Huzzy of Victoria who heel toed the 5k walk in 53.08.63.
Sultan Frizzel of Kamloops missed the series record by got the Olympic B standard with her hammer throw of 67.99m Holly Parent of Victoria made the World Junior standard with her personal best leap of 1.80m
These athletes will continue the series in Abbotsford and Victoria on June 17 and 19.
The series will culminate at the 25th Anniversary of the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic set for Swangard Stadium on Saturday June 21 at 2:45 pm.
This Road to Beijing Olympic qualifier will feature Canada's best against an international field. The roster will include Gary Reed, Diane Cummins, Mike Mason, Malindi Elmore , Brian Barnett, Kevin Sullivan, Nathan Brannen, Ruky Abdulai, Angela White and Priscilla Lopes Schielp.
Tickets available at www.harryjerome.com or at the gate.
For further information:
dclement007@mac.com or
Doug Clement
604 261 6220 or 604 837 1933
