St Lawrence on song in Melbourne

Several NSWIS athletes have come away with medals at the 2011 Melbourne Track Classic, including Ben St Lawrence’s outstanding performance in the men’s 5000m.

NSWIS athlete Ben St Lawrence was the other big winner from the event after clocking silver in the men’s 5000m. Despite finishing behind superstar Bernard Lagat, St Lawrence became the second fastest Australian with his time of 13:10.08 and shattered his personal best by 15 seconds.

St Lawrence’s finish as the fastest Australian on the night gave him his third straight Australian title over the 5000m distance and automatic selection to compete at the 2011 IAAF Athletics World Championships in Korea.

Whilst Dani Samuels’ winning throw was well down on her personal best, the 61 metre mark was still nearly nine metres further than her nearest rival at the event and a strong sign of her improved consistency since winning world championship gold in 2009, a crown which she will defend later this year.

Other medallists from the night included young guns Steven Solomon (gold, men’s 400m) and Nicholas Hough (silver, men’s 200m), Isaac Ntiamoah (silver, men’s 100m), Lachlan Renshaw (bronze, men’s 800m), Kevin Moore (bronze, men’s 400m) Laura Whaler (bronze, women’s 200m) and Bridey Delaney (bronze, women’s 1500m).