Posted: July 16, 2005

Athletics: Aurora's Stephanie Smith 10th in women's 1,500 at world youth track and field championships

MARRAKESH, Morocco- Stephanie Smith of Aurora, Ont., completed an impressive international debut on Friday placing 10th in the women's 1,500-metre final at the 180-country world youth track and field championships.

Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya set a meet record clocking 4:12.29 for the gold medal. Yuriko Kobayashi of Japan was second in 4:13.96 and Urgesa Mohammed Bizunesh of Ethiopia was third in 4:19.34.

Smith, 15, clocked 4:39.29 for 10th spot.

In the men's 1,500 two Canadians qualified for Sunday's final. Allan Brett of Ottawa was third in his qualifying heat clocking a personal best 3:52.75. Justin Marpole-Bird of Vancouver was second in another heat in a personal best 3:53.84.

In the women's hammer throw, Heather Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., qualified for Saturday's final placing fifth in her qualifying group with a 49.23 metre toss. Emmalynne MacCorqodale of Nanaimo, B.C., was ninth in the other group and eliminated.

"I came within 16 centimetres of my personal best so I'm happy about that," said Steacy, 17, whose older brother Jim won the men's hammer throw on Friday at the Canadian championships. "My goal was to past 50 metres and I'll have three more cracks at it in the final."

Other Canadians eliminated in first round action were : Justin Grinstead of Orillia, Ont., and Blake Jones of Masonville, Que., sixth in their respective heats in the men's 400 hurdles. Grinstead clocked a personal best 53.77; Lisa Egami of Coquitlam, B.C., and Jennie Biewald of Ottawa, both third in their respective heats in the women's 800.

The first four events were held in the women's heptathlon and Brianne Theisen of Humboldt, Sask., stands 16th and Kathryn Gallagher of Courtenay, B.C., 28th.

Competition continues though to Sunday.