Pearson confident of shaking off rust
ATHLETICS HER hurdling return was more bruising than she hoped it would be, but world champion Sally Pearson is confident she will be in peak form by April’s Commonwealth Games.
Pearson won the 100m hurdles at the Perth Track Classic on Saturday night with a time of 12.73.
The 31-year-old, who boasts a personal best of 12.28, was initially hoping for a time of 12.50 in her first race of the year.
But those plans went out Complex in Edmonton between Cairns’ best players and the DePauw Tigers on Friday evening. The Tigers shut out the home team in both games to win convincingly 7-0 and 6-0, despite some solid work from catcher Sam Ladner and batting from Boni Minniecon. the window when she clipped the first hurdle.
Pearson went on to hit two more hurdles, but still secured an easy victory.
The speedy Australian produced one of the most remarkable comeback stories in 2017 when she overcame two years Organiser Melissa Low said the Division III NCAC champions were impressive on-and-off the field, providing plenty of instruction to some of Far North Queensland’s up-and-coming stars.
“They got straight off the plane, went to the hotel, got of injuries to win the World Championships in London.
She will have the chance to win her third straight Commonwealth Games gold when she competes on the Gold Coast in April.
The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist is confident she changed and went out and played,” Low said. “Their pitching depth was the difference. Our girls probably weren’t used to seeing the ball moving around so fast.
“It’s a rare opportunity for us to play a team of this calibre. DePauw’s coach Erica Hanra- will be in peak shape by then, despite her rusty performance in Perth.
“Racing is so different to training,” Pearson said.
“As I can see (in my race on Saturday), I have a lot of work to do I guess in my technique to make sure the rust is definitely worn off by the Commonwealth Games. “It’s looking good. “For me, it’s about competing now. Getting my competition sharpness back.
“This is a faster start than what I came out with last year, so I’m happy.” han was really impressed with one of our pitchers, Ellie Rundle. But they play a different sort of style to what we’re used. to with a lot of bunting and skilful play.”
The Tigers, who visited the Great Barrier Reef at the weekend, fly out today.
I GUESS BEING ONE OF THE FAVOURITES FOR THE COMPETITION ON THE GOLD COAST CAN BE A BIT MORE STRESSFUL
Pearson has set her sights on running close to her personal best at some point in 2018. And if everything goes to plan, it could come at the Commonwealth Games.
“I guess being one of the favourites for the competition on the Gold Coast can be a bit more stressful,” Pearson said.
“But if I can just stay focused and do my usual thing, then it should be good.”
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