12 months ago it would have been no surprise that Jessica Hull would be the Australian 1500m champion (again), but the same can’t be said for Adam Spencer.
Hull continues to demonstrate her world class ability and after attempting to straddle the 1500m and 5000m now squarely has her focus on the metric mile. Her victory at the Australian Championships, in a meet record 4:01.39, left Olympian Georgia Griffith (2nd, 4:03.68) and Australian record holder Linden Hall (3rd, 4:05.03) well behind.
“It’s pretty special and a lot of pressure – it’s the most stressful race of the year – so it’s just good to get it done and do it well.”Jessica Hull on the 1500m at the Australian Championships
“I came in ready for anything and I was ready to fight every metre to the line,” Hull said after her race.
“I think we all knew that if you won today you put yourself into good standing for Paris and it just opens up the rest of the year to work on lots of little things not having to chase that carrot now.
“It’s pretty special and a lot of pressure – it’s the most stressful race of the year – so it’s just good to get it done and do it well.”
In contrast to Hull, Adam Spencer has had a meteoric rise over the past year. Based at the University of Wisconsin in the USA since 2002 the 22-year-old has been race hardened from his collegiate experience.
“I think my kick is my strength and I suit those sort of races that go out a bit slower than races that go out hard from the gun.”Australian 1500m champion, Adam Spencer
A year ago his personal best was 3:37.40 from his debut college season, before lowering after the NCAA Championships (where he finished third) to 3:36.78 in Finland and then dramatically dropping his time to under the Olympic qualifier with a 3:31.81 at the London Diamond League meet.
A World Championship debut followed, where he ran 3:34 in his heat before bowing out at the semi-final stage.
His Australian Championships performance was a further indication that he’s suited to Championship racing, making a shrewd tactical move in the final 300m to hit the lead – and then hold it – in the final 200m.
“Twelve months ago it wasn’t really something that I was thinking of, but now it’s becoming a reality,” Spencer said on the prospect of Olympic selections.
“I think my kick is my strength and I suit those sort of races that go out a bit slower than races that go out hard from the gun.”
If it wasn’t for the fact that he didn’t compete in Athletics Australia domestic season meets prior to Nationals, rendering him ineligible for initial Olympic team selections, it wouldn’t have been a surprise had the selectors picked him, despite the abundant depth in the event across the likes of Olli Hoare, Stewart McSweyn and Cameron Myers.
Spencer doesn’t quite see it that way, selflessly outlining his view that the full 1500m team should be picked following the close of the qualifying period. That’s what will now occur, but it will take almighty efforts from three athletes to displace him from the team.
