Pritchard in good form ahead of big events

The grunt heard across a quiet Saxton Field last night meant one thing: athletics is back for 2013.

The grunter was Dale Pritchard, whose near-personal best throw of 45.20m in the discus at the Athletics Nelson twilight series meet shows he is on the right track for a big year.

Pritchard will compete in the international meet in Christchurch next month, and at the New Zea- land track and field championships in Auckland in March.

Then he will be one of nine athletes embarking on the California track and field tour being organised by the National Academy of Distance Running.

Courtney Clarke started her year with a winning throw of 35.75m in the women’s discus.

New Zealand secondary schools athletics high jump champion Chris Brake won all three of his events. He started with an 11.54sec effort in the 100m, then followed this with 6.44m in the long jump and 1.85m in the high jump.

Brake said the more competitive atmosphere on next week’s North Island tour, which will encompass the Cook’s Classic in Whanganui and the Capital Classic in Wellington, should help improve his marks.

Tessa Silcock won the women’s high jump with 1.35m and also competed in the 100m, 400m and mile.

Amanda Fitisemanu won the women’ 100m in 13.50sec and ran 64.3sec 400m to finish second to Christchurch athlete Laura Smith, who finished in 63.0sec.

Bailey Cotton finished second to Brake in the men’s 100m in 12.25sec, then dipped under 25sec for the first time in winning the 200m in 24.9sec.

Angus Weymss won the men’s mile in 5min 23.1sec, and Georgia Teakle took out the women’s mile in 5min 38.9sec. Results: 100m – Women: Amanda Fitisemanu, 13.50sec, 1; Amber Sixtus, 13.97sec, 2; Shanti Clark, 14.09sec, 3. Men: Chris Brake, 11.54sec, 1; Bailey Cotton, 12.25sec, 2; Tyler Walbran, 12.90sec, 3. 200m – Women: Amanda Fitisemanu, 28.4sec, 1; Amber Sixtus, 29.0sec, 2; Irene Post, 30.2sec, 3. 400m – Women: Laura Smith, 63.0sec, 1; Amanda Fitisemanu, 64.3sec, 2; Bonita Morrissey-Smith, 66.3sec, 3. Mile – Women: Georgia Teakle, 5min 48.9sec, 1; Tessa Silcock, 6min 25.6sec, 2. Men: Angus Weymss, 5min 23.10sec, 1. Discus – Women: Courtney Clarke, 35.75m, 1. Men: Dale Pritchard, 45.20sec, 1. Long jump – Women: Tess Haunch, 4.44m, 1; Morgan Clark and Amanda Fitisemanu, 4.43m, equal 2. Men: Chris Brake, 6.44m, 1; Bailey Cotton, 5.07m, 2. High jump – Women: Tessa Silcock, 1.35m, 1. Men - Chris Brake, 1.85m.