Hale on track to score a new PB

TASMANIAN Jack Hale has set his sights on setting a new personal best when he lines up in the 100m sprint at the Perth Track Classic tonight.

Hale’s best time of 10.21 sec came in Germany in 2016 — a month after his 18th birthday.

The 20-year-old has come close to breaking that mark on several occasions since then, and feels confident of achieving the feat this weekend.

“I just want that to go,” Hale said of his previous best mark.

“It’s coming up on three years. It’s not good.

“I’m thinking now is as good a time as ever — three weeks out from nationals and I’m moving well. I think it’s more than achievable.

“It’s a conditions game. You’ve got to hope for some nice winds, some nice weather, and if that all comes into play, I don’t think there’s a doubt in my mind that I can run it.”

Hale is undefeated in 2019, and he’s eager to keep his 10race winning run going. More importantly, he is keen to post a 10.10-sec time that is needed to secure a berth at the world championships later this year.

“I ran 10.12 [in illegal wind conditions] a few weeks ago, so I think I can back myself into a 10.10 in the next few months, if not this weekend if the conditions allow,” Hale said.

“It would be huge if I can book a berth.

“I was disappointed not to get an individual spot at the Commonwealth Games last year, so I’ve got to redeem myself and really back myself in for an individual spot, not just a relay team.”

Hale has embraced life under coach Adam Larcom, with the pair joining forces about 18 months ago.

“When I started with him I was sitting at about 63kg,” the 175cm Hale said. “In 12 months I put on 11kg, so a big change in body weight.”

The men’s 800m showdown will also be a highlight tonight, with national record holder Joseph Deng to battle it out with Peter Bol and Luke Mathews in a hot field.

Deng, 20, set a new Australian 800m record at the Monaco Diamond League last year with his time of 1:44.21, eclipsing the previous mark of 1:44.40.