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Wells races to fastest time since Rio

The stage is set for a huge Commonwealth Games trials showdown in a deep 800m field after Jeff Riseley became the fourth man to clock an A-qualifier.

Lauren Wells.
Lauren Wells' 55.78 seconds was her fastest 400m hurdles time since her race at the Rio Olympics. (AAP)

Lauren Wells has put Commonwealth Games rivals on notice with her fastest 400m hurdles time in 18 months.

It comes as middle-distance stars Luke Mathews and Jeff Riseley gave Gold Coast selectors a massive headache with strong times in the men's 800m at the ACT championships in Canberra.

Ten-time national champion Wells recorded a scorching 55.78 seconds on her home track on Saturday night to secure her second A-qualifier in her quickest race since her heat at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Impressively, the 29-year-old did so half an hour after placing third in the long jump event, leaping 6.29m to finish behind Brooke Stratton (6.50m) and Naa Anang (6.40m).

"I needed some time to mentally check out and get ready for the hurdles," Wells said.

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"It was a really good, clean run. There were no mistakes but there is plenty I can work on as well."

Wells only recently picked up long jump again but is boldly aiming for Commonwealth Games selection in both at next month's trials and national titles.

That stage will also be set for a huge men's 800m showdown after Riseley became the fourth two-lapper to better the A-qualifying mark.

The evergreen 31-year-old clocked 1:46.35 to place second behind Luke Mathews, who finished in 1:45.83 to notch his second qualifier.

Peter Bol and Josh Ralph also have qualifiers in the deep event, which only three Australian's can contest at April's Games.

"It was a bit nerve-racking as it was the first proper track race since world champs and under my new coach, so I felt a bit of pressure coming" Mathews said.

"I felt that was like a pre-test of the nationals final so I wanted to race as best as possible.

"Jeff and I both pulled it off over a quality field with 1:46 down to third."

New Zealand's Brad Mathas came third, also with an A-qualifier of 1:46.44.

In other results, Kathryn Mitchell took out the women's javelin with a best throw of 61.05m, to beat Kelsey-Lee Roberts (59.22m).

Maddie Coates (23.26) beat Anneliese Rubie (23.40) and Jess Thornton (23.67) in the women's 200m final, while high jumper Brandon Starc (2.24m) made do with second behind Malaysia's Lee Hup Wei (2.28m).


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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