Sport Shorts: Gardner grabs gold at national champs

Still just 17, Hobart’s Arielle Cannell enhanced the belief she’s a potential future Olympian by defending her under-20 hammer throw national title. Plus our men’s netballers are gearing up for nationals, and a Tigers gun bat has re-signed in the latest Sport Shorts.

Arielle Cannell defended her under-20 hammer throw national title with a personal best throw at Perth on Thursday. Picture: Holly Smee

Another Tasmanian athlete has announced himself on the big stage after Jacob Gardner won gold in the under-20 3000m steeplechase at the national championships in Perth.

Gardner clocked 9:01.33 to shave five seconds off the state record set by Alexander Kwa in 2022.

Fellow Tasmanian Kayedel Smith also claimed silver in the under-20 women’s 200. Smith ran a personal best 24.31 seconds to finish behind West Australian Emilia Reed (23.29) and ahead of bronze medallist Holly Rea (24.40).

Hobart hammer thrower Arielle Cannell continues to stamp herself as a potential future Olympian after defending her under-20 title at the national championships in Perth.

Cannell won the division as a 16-year-old last year with a personal best throw of 54.25m, which she beat by a centimetre on Thursday to go back-to-back.

After last year’s victory, Cannell’s coach Rachel Hosie told this masthead the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane was a realistic target for her star pupil.

“It’s definitely on the cards. The sky’s the limit, we may as well target something big,” Hosie said.

“I think she has aspirations of representing Australia and is definitely targeting Brisbane, but if we can go to the one before (Los Angeles 2028) that’d be fantastic.”

Tasmania’s steeplechasers also delivered great results, with Jacob Gardner claiming gold in the under-20 3000m steeplechase in a state record time of 9:01.33.

Jessica Smith also grabbed silver in the women’s event with a time of 10:51.80.

In other results, Launceston’s Sam Lindsay backed up his gold medal in the under-18 5000m race walk with another record breaking win in the under-20 10,000m.

The 17-year-old ran 43:12.79 to finish seventh overall, and beat Rohan Best’s previous state record of 43:40.30 set in 1990.

His gold medal in the under-18s was also a championships record.

Xavier Leauma also claimed bronze in the men’s under-20 hammer throw and Alice Smillie picked up silver in the women’s under-20 PA 400m.

In other results Emily Aichberger broke a state record in claiming bronze in the women’s open PA 800m, Isabella Wing took dual bronze in the women’s under-20 long jump and heptathlon, Rebecca Mathers won silver in the women’s open PA javelin, Jessica Smith took silver in the women’s under-20 3000m steeplechase and Sophie Thompson won bronze in women’s under-20 PA long jump.

WEATHERALD RE-SIGNS WITH TIGERS

Jake Weatherald’s rags to riches story in Tasmania is complete after signing a new three year deal with the Tigers.

After struggling to win a regular spot in his first summer in Tasmania in 2023-24, the 30-year-old batter has been rewarded for a superb second campaign.

He won the Ricky Ponting Medal, and David Boon Medal’s as the squad’s best Sheffield Shield player, after scoring 906 runs at an average of 68.27 in first class cricket, including three centuries.

Weatherald also averaged 43 in the One Day Cup and is firmly believes the Tigers are on the cusp of another Shield title.

Jake Weatherald of Tasmania celebrates scoring a century. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“I am so happy to sign for three years, and I wanted to commit long-term to a group on the

cusp of winning multiple Shield titles. I am desperate to be a big part of that,” Weatherald said.

Weatherald has played 71 first-class matches and has amassed nearly 5000 runs.

“Weathers’ was an important part of our batting unit last summer,” Tigers coach Jeff Vaughan said.

“What has impressed me is the way that he continually works hard on his game and has an immense appetite for improvement. He is inquisitive about his development, but has absolute confidence in the way he plays the game.

“He is a terrific team man, is great in our locker room, and is a leader to everyone within our squad.

Weatherald joins quicks Riley Meredith and Marcus Bean as recent Tigers signings.

TASSIE TITANS PRIMED FOR NATIONALS

The Tasmanian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association men’s team are looking to build on last year’s preliminary final appearance at the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Championships in Melbourne, starting Saturday.

The ‘Tassie Titans’ will also field 17 and under and 20 and under teams at the nationals.

“After months of preparation I am excited to see all 3 teams take the court in Victoria,” head men’s coach Kellie Woolnough said.

“The men’s team will be focused on putting together solid performances during the week, with the aim of taking it a step further in our 2025 campaign“.

Tasmania has competed in the men’s division since 2016, and 17s and 20s since 2022.

Stand out athletes such as Jack Jordan (20 and under) and James

Adams (Mens) have been selected to represent Australia on multiple occasions, with Jordan recently playing in Singapore for his country.

Under 20s coach Matt Charlesworth said “A mix of old and new faces provides a level of depth and versatility that ensures they will be fierce competitors at this year’s tournament.”

Consisting of players from around the state, including Penguin and Scottsdale, the 17s team

are a group of multi-sport athletes.

Tasmania under-17 captain Harri Poke defends against Victoria last year. Picture: Jess Stevenson

“We have a great bunch of players from across the state, half of which have had little netball experience needing to learn the skills of the game from the ground up,” coach Kellie Tahiri said.

“Our captain Harri Poke and Gabriel Dixson are the only two players who have been

to nationals last year.”

In a first for the championships, all games will be live streamed through sidelinesport.tv.

Meanwhile at the National Netball Championships, Tasmania’s 17 and under side fell just short of an opening win against ACT on Friday.

Tasmania went down 27-24 to ACT after falling to NSW 40-22 in their first game on Thursday.

The 19 and unders began with a 49-20 loss to Queensland before losing a heartbreaker to ACT 30-28 on Friday.