6 Mar 2016

McCartney soars in Dunedin

1:55 pm on 6 March 2016

For the fifth time in four months, Eliza McCartney has broken her own national pole-vault record and set a new mark in Oceania.

Eliza McCartney competes in the Pole Vault at the New Zealand track and field championships, 2016.

Eliza McCartney competes in the Pole Vault at the New Zealand track and field championships, 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 19-year-old achieved her latest feat by winning the title at the New Zealand track and field championships in Dunedin with a clearance of 4.80m.

It adds nine centimetres to the national record she set two weeks ago and three centimetres to the Oceanian record set last month by Australia's Alana Boyd.

It is also the best mark in history by a teenager and moves her to 11th on the outdoor world all-time list.

"I couldn't ask for a better build-up to the World Indoors and Rio," said McCartney. "These heights are what I want. It makes a medal look realistic.

McCartney's performance came on the second day of action in Dunedin.

Tom Walsh produced the highlight of the first day, winning the shot put with 21.11m. beating Jacko Gill into second whose best throw was 20.23m.