Listening to Craig Mottram, it sounds like the purpose of OAC Oceania is to create a pathway between juniors and the professional level rather than to get elite athletes to global champs. There isn't an Aussie equivalent of the NCAA or a thriving circuit for u23 athletes as we have in Europe. Mottram seemed to see his role as preparing athletes to take that next step, to be ready to join pro groups. Maybe it will evolve over time but that's where OAC Oceania is at the moment
i thought this was a bit peculiar from mottram, sure it sounds good but australia has no problem converting athletes from junior to professional - the domestic season (melbourne, sydney, brisbane track classics vicmilers clubs, mile championships) is great for midlevel elite competition for younger runners, and elite junior athletes are usually involved with an elite group at this stage anyway.
A vanity project, which is entirely out of spite towards Bideau. But it turns out coaching is harder than he thought, a complete and utter failure so far.
To make this thread a bit more positive, happy to see national champion Riley McGown getting a run. I had the feeling all domestic season he was ready for a 1:45 low, but hasn't quite had that breakthrough yet or the right race. His first European season will have been a good learning experience for him, and first championship should be a similarly good learning experience. Over the next 2-3 years I think he will be a good addition to the team.
He's ranked 5th in AUS, didn't win a weak national champs and has been put in more Diamond League meets to get towed to a decent time than just about any athlete. And that's before we even get to what kind of person he is (he does throw a mean sucker punch though...)
I can honestly say I don't know anyone here who is happy to see him on the team.
Interesting lack of OAC Oceania reps named as well.
Listening to Craig Mottram, it sounds like the purpose of OAC Oceania is to create a pathway between juniors and the professional level rather than to get elite athletes to global champs. There isn't an Aussie equivalent of the NCAA or a thriving circuit for u23 athletes as we have in Europe. Mottram seemed to see his role as preparing athletes to take that next step, to be ready to join pro groups. Maybe it will evolve over time but that's where OAC Oceania is at the moment
I might understand this, if they didn't sign Ben Buckingham. Also pretty funny how they signed Keely Small and she semmingly ditched them within a month or two. Pretty sure she did the exact same thing at Oregon. Real commitment issues kinda character.
One can say Stewy is a waste of a spot... horrendous race tactics over and over again. Practically just rabbits the fields before fading or dropping out over and over again at championships. Morgan is a great story, but he's out of shape. Heck of a talent running 13:24 with no abs.
Listening to Craig Mottram, it sounds like the purpose of OAC Oceania is to create a pathway between juniors and the professional level rather than to get elite athletes to global champs. There isn't an Aussie equivalent of the NCAA or a thriving circuit for u23 athletes as we have in Europe. Mottram seemed to see his role as preparing athletes to take that next step, to be ready to join pro groups. Maybe it will evolve over time but that's where OAC Oceania is at the moment
I might understand this, if they didn't sign Ben Buckingham. Also pretty funny how they signed Keely Small and she semmingly ditched them within a month or two. Pretty sure she did the exact same thing at Oregon. Real commitment issues kinda character.
They have to take who they can get. It's a very long list of athletes who have snubbed the dollars, to stay with their coaches/squads. The only chance for this squad to survive is Hollingsworth
Men 100m: Rohan Browning, Jake Doran 200m: Aidan Murphy 800m: Peter Bol, Joe Deng, Riley McGown 1500m: Stewart McSweyn, Adam Spencer, Matthew Ramsden 5000m: McSweyn, Morgan McDonald 110m Hurdles: Jacob McCorry, Nicholas Andrews 3000m Steeplechase: Matthew Clarke High Jump: Joel Baden, Brandon Starc Pole Vault: Kurtis Marschall Long Jump: Chris Mitrevski, Darcy Roper, Liam Adcock, Henry Frayne Triple Jump: Julian Konle, Aiden Hinson Discus Throw: Matthew Denny Javelin Throw: Cameron McEntyre Decathlon: Ash Moloney, Cedric Dubler, Daniel Golubovic 20km Race Walk: Declan Tingay, Kyle Swan, Rhydian Cowley 35km Race Walk: Cowley
Women 100m: Bree Masters, Torrie Lewis 200m: Ella Connolly 800m: Catriona Bisset, Abbey Caldwell, Ellie Sanford 1500m: Jessica Hull, Linden Hall, Abbie Caldwell 5000m: Hull, Rose Davies, Lauren Ryan Marathon: Lisa Weightman, Isobel Batt-Doyle, Sarah Klein 100m Hurdles: Michelle Jenneke, Celeste Mucci, Hannah Jones 400m Hurdles: Sarah Carli 3000m Steeplechase: Amy Cashin, Cara Feain-Ryan, Brielle Erbacher 4x100m Relay: Masters, Lewis, Connolly, Mucci, Kristie Edwards, Ebony Lane High Jump: Nicola Olyslagers, Eleanor Patterson, Erin Shaw Pole Vault: Nina Kennedy Long Jump: Brooke Buschkuehl, Samantha Dale Discus Throw: Taryn Gollshewsky Hammer Throw: Stephanie Ratcliffe Javelin Throw: Kelsey-Lee Barber, Mackenzie Little, Kathryn Mitchell 20km Race Walk: Jemima Montag, Rebecca Henderson Olivia Sandery 35km Race Walk: Henderson, Allanah Pitcher Note: Athletics Australia has entered four athletes into the men’s long jump, with the competing athletes yet to be finalised. Pat Tiernan was previously announced on the team in the men’s marathon but has since withdrawn.
You highlighted middle and distance, but the real medal hopes are the one in Bold (In Bold, not Bol)
Liam Adams has no sponsor deal at all and I was told it cost him $10000 to take time off full time work to get his 2:08 PB. Not much value for him to run Worlds. If there ever was a 'peoples runner' it's Liam. Full time Electrician. Father. Runs/races in a tradie singlet. Please someone give him some gear!
Liam Adams has no sponsor deal at all and I was told it cost him $10000 to take time off full time work to get his 2:08 PB. Not much value for him to run Worlds. If there ever was a 'peoples runner' it's Liam. Full time Electrician. Father. Runs/races in a tradie singlet. Please someone give him some gear!
I think McGown has had several break throughs and frankly, dropping more time would make him suspicious, if he isn't already.
He ran 1:52.83 in late November 2020, 1:49.27 in March 2022 and 1:46.08 in March 2023. Yes he's run four 1:46.xx times this year, but how does one gain that sort of progression? I hope he's legitimate, but I for one was not expecting him on the team one year ago.
