The Victory Lap

Have you ever wondered, "How can I consume more Australian-based Track and Field content?" If following Straight at It wasn’t enough to quench your insatiable thirst for Aussies tearing up the global scene, look no further! This newsletter brings you all the news from the Straight at It Instagram, in more detail and longer format, with some added content just for you.

You might think this is Mitch Dyer writing, but he’s too busy globetrotting for Diamond Leagues and US Olympic Trials. I’m Kris Humphries, and I also write another newsletter for Zato AC focusing on running culture. But enough about me, let’s jump into a week on the track.

We have a couple of weekends without Diamond Leagues but that doesn’t mean we were short of highlights for the week with many of our Olympic hopefuls trying to show off their talents.

Track Spotlight

Olympic Hopefuls out to Play

Some of the most hotly contested Olympic teams were out in play on the weekend with some fringe athletes trying to show off their goods before the end of the selection period.

In particular, the following events are so tight anyone could be chosen:

800m Women: Two women already selected (Abbey Caldwell and Claudia Hollingsworth) with the final spot left available to two athletes qualified by entry standard (Catriona Bisset & Bendere Oboya) and two others close by with ranking points (Carley Thomas and Hayley Kitching).

Over the weekend, from this group we had:

• Hayley Kitching run twice in Canada with times of 2:01.72 (2nd) & 2.01.85 (1st) – talk about consistent.

• Abbey Caldwell (already selected) with 1.59.79

• Bendere Oboya with 2.00.64

• Carly Thomas with 2.01.93

All but Catriona Bisset ran, and all of them were within two seconds of each other. Not sure if this weekend helped solve the selectors’ dilemma.

1500m Men: With no one officially selected and seven possible entrants, this has to be the most hotly contested event on the selectors' desk. Not only are there so many options, but a few of those are serious medal contenders or previous global medalists.

While there are seven possible athletes to be selected, it is looking likely that Adam Spencer and Ollie Hoare will be on top of the list due to National Champs placings and both having the Olympic Standard. If this is the case, that means there is a battle for the third spot.

Over the weekend, from that group we have:

• Cam Myers with 3.33.93

• Stewy McSweyn with 3.35.44

• Jack Anstey with 3.35.57

• Jesse Hunt with 3.39.33

Young Cam did a great job pleading his case, beating out Jack and Jesse on the night and also posting the fastest time over the weekend of our 1500m runners.

These are just two of the events, and to be honest, there are so many more that either have a battle for limited spots or athletes sneaking into ranking spots but not enough room to write. Make sure you keep up to date on all of our Aussies competing at the moment on our Instagram, Straight At It, or for a more analytical approach, AthStats.

OAC Takeover

We all know how talented our athletes down under are, but it looks like ON and OAC are also paying attention. The end of the NCAA season is an unofficial transfer season for athletics, and ON came out hot this week.

OAC already boasts a stacked squad of Aussie athletes. Their Australian team features the likes of Claudia Hollingsworth and Jesse Hunt, while the OAC Global team in Boulder is winning global medals with stars like Ollie Hoare and Morgan McDonald. But the recruitment doesn't stop there. This week alone, they announced the signing of:

• Ky Robinson (Former NCAA 5000m and 10000m Champion) - OAC Global Team

• Carly Thomas - OAC Oceania

• Ben Thomas - NIL Deal and Villanova Commit

I know I keep going on about it, but it's just incredible to see more of our talent having the opportunity to go pro and live out their dreams. For those interested in athletes across the ditch in NZ, OAC Global also signed Maia Ramsden (2 × 1500m NCAA Champion and NZ record holder).

Check out Ky Robinson taking 3rd in a stacked 5k field at the latest NCAA outdoor championships and try not to get fired up!

Gear Up

Crest

Chances are, if you’re a track and field enthusiast, you also enjoy running yourself. And let’s be real, who doesn’t like to look good and feel good while doing it? Each week, this segment of the newsletter will focus on Australian-based running companies creating cool products in collaboration with the Zato Athletic Club newsletter.

This week, we sat down with Tom, co-owner of Crest, to discuss why they started the brand and their vision for its future. After our chat, I’m more bullish on them now than ever.

Crest was born out of frustration with the lack of options in the local market and the high costs of purchasing quality products from overseas. They are best known for their hats, which, while focused on running, are designed to be worn from your long run to a long lunch.

As they step into the next phase of their journey, Tom is diving deeper into his passion for track and field, using Crest to support our incredibly talented athletes. Unlike many other brands that rely on traditional influencers, Crest is committed to promoting their products by backing real athletes.

We’re so impressed with what they’re doing that Straight At It has collaborated with Crest on a limited-run hat featuring the iconic koala, loud and proud, on a white mesh cap. We may be biased, but these hats are as good as they come.

Around the Track

Mitch’s Hot Takes

Well, well, well, this is exciting, isn't it? G'day everyone! Firstly, thank you so much for subscribing and entering into a new world for SAI: the newsletter game. I have to admit, this is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but I haven't had the time or the dogged focus to bring it to life.

Enter Kris.

I came across Kris' account Zato.ac when he responded to one of the many million questions I ask the audience of the page each week, and I was hooked. We chatted, we laughed, and we hypothesized that this was something we both really wanted to do. So, a huge welcome to the team, Kris <3.

It feels weird to step back into my media roots for writing because, to be quite honest with you, it is not my strong suit, but I am thrilled to offer some thoughts... and here is one.

Keep a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery close eye on athletics over the next 13 days. Thirteen days is the literal countdown clock some of our athletes face at the moment to realise, build upon, and secure their Olympic dreams - and they will touch every corner of the planet to do so. Last week, for example, have a go at this:

Sweden, France, Bahamas, Italy, Australia, Canada, and Belgium all played host to Aussies. This week? Finland, Norway, and Spain all saddle up on a random Tuesday to host gold down to bronze level meets... insanity.

I'll be doing all I can to cover things off as I also venture on my own side quest to find Bruce McAvaney in Eugene, host some events, and work with the incredible Citius crew.

Anyway, this isn't about me - this is about Kris and this weekly newsletter you are all about to fall in love with.

To the fkn moon, as per usual.

Mitch

Other News

World Athletics Ultimate Championships was announced. Threes questions raised for me on this. Which Aussies will feature? Who came up with this awful name? & How does this work alongside Michael Johnsons League?

Sprint Netflix Doco following the fastest sprinters in the world trailer dropped last week. Any chance one of our own features? Maybe Rohan Browning?

End Credits

This was meant to be a down week and honestly there was so many people we missed and so much fun to write and research. This will be a weekly series following our Aussies both locally and abroad so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss any of the Action. While you are at it follow Straight at It and Zato AC and let us know in the comments what you are interested in following or if we missed something huge.