Ten track and field athletes have been selected to represent New Zealand at the 5th IAAF world youth championships to be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic from July 11 to 15.
The team of three boys and seven girls will compete in middle distance running and walking and in the field events, throwing and jumping.
Dallas Bowden of Nelson, who set a New Zealand M16 1500m record of 3m 46.98s at the IAAF permit meeting in Christchurch in mid February has been named in both the 1500m and 800m with his 1m 52.89s time. Michael Whitehead of Pukekohe will join him in the 800m after running 1m 53.60s this season.
Camille Buscomb of Cambridge (4m 30.57s) and Kelsi Patterson from Pakuranga Auckland (4m 31.76s) have been selected in the 1500m, with Buscomb also selected for the 3000m (9m 34.87s).
Sarah McSweeney of Cambridge who had a record breaking season in the 2000m steeplechase, reducing her time to 6m 42.54s, will be competing in that event. Kate Newitt of Christchurch with a time of 24m 41.70s has been selected in the 5000m track walk.
In the field events Keri Tongalea of Auckland will compete in the discus after his New Zealand M16 record this season of 56.26m. Te Rina Keenan of Auckland, who has had a golden run in the discus this past summer, setting a W16 record of 49.58m, will be joined by fellow Aucklander Armel Chou-Lee (44.80m) in the discus throw. Elizabeth Lamb of Auckland with a clearance of 1.75m in the high jump completes the selections.
The championships were introduced by the IAAF in 1997 and is open to athletes under the age of 18 - born in 1990, 1991 or 1992.
Athletics New Zealand team for
5th IAAF World Youth Championships - Ostrava, Czech Republic 11-15 July.
Boys
Dallas Bowden (Nelson) 800m, 1500m.
Keri Tongalea (Auckland) discus.
Michael Whitehead (Pukekohe) 800m.
Girls
Camille Buscomb (Cambridge) 1500m, 3000m.
Armel Chou-Lee (Auckland) discus.
Te Rina Keenan (Auckland) discus.
Elizabeth Lamb (Auckland) high jump.
Sarah McSweeney (Morrinsville) 2000m steeplechase.
Kate Newitt (Christchurch) 5km walk.
Kelsi Patterson (Auckland) 1500m.
Manager: Joan Merrilees.
Coaches: Simon Blincoe, Les Mills.
Physiotherapist: James Paton.
