Tasmanian couple savours dual sprint title success

TASMANIAN sprinter Bec Kovacic just wanted to make her grandfather proud.

But she did much more than that.

Just days after his death, Kovacic produced her best gift run in several years at the OVA Carnival, which marked the end of the Tasmanian Athletics League season, to take out the women’s 100m event.

She last won a race at the Burnie Gift back in 2019.

It became even more special when she realised her partner, Sam Lewis-Johnson, had taken out the men’s event in 10.65s.

Both survived nailbiting finishes with Kovacic crossing the line just .08s ahead of Izzy Wing.

Lewis-Johnson was .04s ahead of his nearest challenger, Brendan Smart. “It was a very successful weekend after a really hard week for us,” Kovacic told The Mercury.

“My grandfather was a massive supporter of me always giving sport a go and getting the best out of myself. I just wanted to go out there and do his support justice.

“I knew if I started well I was always going to give myself a good opportunity of winning the race. I didn’t actually know I had won until I crossed the line and heard my name.”

Kovacic and Lewis-Johnson produced strong performances in the heats, posting quicker times than those in the final, and were able to carry that form into the final.

“Sam absolutely flew in his heat,” Kovacic said.

“I’ve been injured the last month so it was nice to be out there running again.”

With the TAL season now having come to an end, the pair will turn their attention to the state and national titles later this year.

EVENT WINNERS Maiden 100m: Connor Young

Women’s 100m gift: Bec Kovacic

Men’s 100m gift: Samuel LewisJohnson Women’s 300m: Madi Casey Men’s 300m: Adam French

Masters 300m handicap: Suzanne Westbrook Open 800m handicap: Charli Ross

Masters 100m: Paul Williams

Masters 800m handicap: Allan Bakes