Stage set for Tasmanian junior athletes to shine

The U20 events at the Tasmanian Age Championships (Hobart) shape to be a highlight, kicking off with the Men's 200m at 1:45pm on Saturday.

OVA Southern Saint Jack LEWIS enters the event with the fastest time of 22.80 on paper, however will have to hold off the impressive Alvaro Canosa VASQUEZ (SB) and Connor WRIGHT (NL). While Lewis is the only one currently to dip under, there's a growing line of athletes in the field who have been chipping away at the sub 23-second mark recently.

Having competed along side each other for years now, the U20 Women's throwing contingent again go head-to-head; with the 4kg Shot Put event (1:20pm Saturday) a chance to claim an early victory.

All eyes will be on previous national medalist Isabella HIPPEL (ESAC), who's best of 12.16m narrowly holds off Natalia LESZCZYNSKI (OVA, 11.37m) and Rachel HOSIE (ESAC, 10.81m). Throw in Keely BURNS (UTAS), Rebecca MATHERS (OVA) and Caitlin MCDONALD (ESAC) and competition for the podium becomes fierce.

Following in the likes of Tasmanian distance runners like Stewart McSweyn and Abbey De La Motte, there's a strong contingent of athletes who'll line up in the 800m over the weekend - with Northern Suburbs athlete Avalon FORBES an exciting prospect in the U16 event having clocked 2:16.68 recently, while Abbey BUTLER (NEW) and Emily MACINNES (NEW) both have close personal bests in the U20 race.

Sub 2-minutes will be the focus in the U20 Men's 800m with Isaac BONSEY (UTAS), Dylan BURNETT (NS), Alexander KWA (SB) and William ROBERTSON (OVA) all with times below 2:03; none have crossed the elusive barrier, yet.

Isabella DAVIE (NEW), Alicia HOLLINSGWORTH (NL) and Jana ALLEN (ESAC) compete in a range of field events over the weekend, with their U20 Long Jump (Sunday, 1:00pm) another event flagged to watch; while U14 athletes Bailey VAN DEN BROEK (OVA), Lily SMITH (NL) and Maighan ARNOLD (ESAC) are tough to split in their long jump event.

In lieu of any changes and confirmation due to COVID-19, the weekend's event act as the selection meet for the upcoming Australian Track and Field Championships - currently scheduled for Sydney between April 12th to 21st.

Events for the Tasmanian Age Championships begin at 11:30am on Saturday and run through until approximately 3:30pm on Sunday.

For Event Timetable, Event Start Lists and Event Technical Reugulations head to the EVENT PAGE

**This event will be managed in accordance with the Tasmanian Government COVIDSafe practices. All attendees will be required to use the advised COVIDSafe check QR code on arrival each day in to the venue.