Brianne Theisen-Eaton wins World Indoors Silver

Brianne Theisen-Eaton wins World Indoors Silver

Friday, March 07, 2014

Sopot, POL - It was a silver medal for Humboldt, Sask.’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton today along with a new Canadian record in the Pentathlon on Day one of the International Association for Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Indoor Championship. With eight Canadian’s in action on day one, three others qualified for later rounds.

Brianne Theisen-Eaton started off leading the five-event competition by winning the 60-metre hurdles in 8.13 seconds. She high jumped 1.84 metres, shot put a personal best of 13.86 metres, measured a long jump of 6.13 metres and clocked 2:10.07 in the final 800-metres race. Brianne bettered her own Canadian Indoor Record of 4555 points set in 2012 to 4768 points today.

London, Ont.’s Damian Warner sits in fifth place after day one of the heptathlon with 3384 points. Damian clocked the 60-metres in 6.75 seconds, long jumped 7.31 metres, shot put 13.86 metres and cleared 2.00 metres in the high jump. The Heptathlon finishes tomorrow as Damian continues in his quest for a medal. The 60-metre hurdles are at 4:00am Eastern Time (ET) followed by Pole Vault at 5:00am ET and the 1000-metres at 1:20pm ET.

Gavin Smellie of Etobicoke, Ont., finished third in his heat in 6.63 seconds for an automatic qualification into the 60-metres semi final. Gavin will race tomorrow at 12:30pm ET. Toronto, Ont.’s TJ Lawrence clocked 6.74 seconds finishing fifth in his heat and does not advance.

Nicole Sifuentes of Winnipeg, Man., finished third in her 1500-metres heat with a personal best of 4:09.49. Nicole was the fastest time qualifier and advances to the final tomorrow at 1:00pm ET.

Black Creek, B.C.’s Cameron Levins finished fifth in his 3000-metres heat in 7:44.04 to qualify for the final on Sunday at 11:10am ET.

In the women’s 800-metres Calgary, Alta.’s Jenna Westaway finished fifth in her heat with a time of 2:03.52 and does not advance. “This racing opportunity has allowed me to further develop myself as an athlete on an international level, and for that, I could not feel more fortunate”, notes Jenna after the race. “After getting a taste of true world-class competition, I am more motivated than ever. I cannot wait to wear the Maple Leaf on my chest again representing my coach, family and country on the world stage.”

Nathan Brannen of Cambridge, Ont., also does not advance finishing sixth in his opening 1500-metres heat with a time of 3:42.51. Nathan comments; “it is not the way I wanted to cap off the indoor season but with two Canadian records and the 10th fastest indoor 1k all-time I can’t complain.”

The men’s high jump gets underway tomorrow with Nanoose Bay, B.C.’s Michael Mason taking to the qualification round at 6:05am ET.

For more on the IAAF World Indoor Championship click here

-AC-