SOUTH Bendigo’s Emma Berg will be chasing a sixth consecutive women’s open shot put crown in Saturday’s action at the Australian Athletics national champioships in Sydney.<\/p>\n
A season-best mark of 16.61 metres has put Berg on top of the seedings for the meet at Olympic Park.<\/p>\n
The first of her national title wins was in Sydney in 2019.<\/p>\n
COVID meant no competition in 2020 and ’21.<\/p>\n
Berg struck back to claim gold at Sydney in ’22 and ruled again at the national title finals in Brisbane, ’23; and Adelaide, ’24.<\/p>\n
A year ago a personal best of 16.88m clinched gold in Perth.<\/p>\n
Berg’s lead-up to nationals included a mark of 15.80m to win the Victorian championship, and 16.08m at the Hobart Track Classic.<\/p>\n
A busy summer has included coaching several of the region’s gun throwers.<\/p>\n
Qualifying round at the nationals will be from noon on Saturday leading into the final from 7.30pm.<\/p>\n
Two of Athletics Bendigo’s young guns in Abbey Reid and Fletch Watchman also earnt selection in the Big V squad to compete in Sydney.<\/p>\n
A personal best of 6135 points by Watchman earnt gold in the under-20 decathlon at the Victorian championships run at South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.<\/p>\n
Highs for Watchman in his charge to the state title included wins in the 100m, high jump, 110m hurdles, and pole vault.<\/p>\n
A 10-discipline showdown is an incredible test of all-round ability, endurance, and mental and physical toughness.<\/p>\n
The campaign for Eaglehawk Athletics Club’s rising star who is coached by Terry Hicks began yesterday and ends today.<\/p>\n
Watchman’s events on day two will be 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1500m.<\/p>\n
His feats at the state multi-events titles at Casey Fields in January earnt the first scholarship in the 61st Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.<\/p>\n
Bendigo University’s Abbey Reid will contest the women’s open 3000m steeplechase at 8.15pm on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Reid earnt silver as she clocked 11:16 in the under-20 3000m steeple final at the Victorian titles.<\/p>\n
The Bendigo University Athletics Club member was a scholarship recipient in the 60th Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SOUTH Bendigo’s Emma Berg will be chasing a sixth consecutive women’s open shot put crown in Saturday’s action at the Australian Athletics national champioships in Sydney. A season-best mark of 16.61 metres has put Berg on top of the seedings for the meet at Olympic Park. The first of her national title wins was in […]<\/p>\n