Courtney Field Oceania Track Championships 500m TT Gold
	October 9th 2014           Sprint sensation Courtney Field claimed her first Oceania Championship title in the 500m time trial on the first day of competition, Wednesday. Field up in the last heat steadily increased her speed to claim the gold with a time of 35.716secs. "It was really good, I was really happy. I didn’t know how I was going to go coming in," said Field. Field built over the two laps and was pushed all the way to the line. "Coming up against Tahlay, since she did so good at track nationals in under 17’s I knew I would have some strong competition." Despite taking several weeks off the bike after returning from Korea, limiting preparation Field showed her talent. "I’m really happy after training for five weeks after coming back from World’s that I could pull it off." The event was Field’s second of the day after teaming up with Tahlay Christie. The pairing finished fifth just missing a medal ride off by just 0.34 of a second. Field and Christie’s time of 35.412 in the combined elite and junior women’s team sprint competition saw them finish as the top junior team. The medal marks the continuation of a successful year for the first year under 19. Field claimed the sprint triple at the National Championships in January by winning the 500m time trial, keirin and sprint. Three medals at the Junior World Track Championships in Korea followed. Silver in the 500m time trial and keirin and a strong performance in the sprint to claim gold. Becoming only the second Australia to claim the honour and a rare occurrence for a first year. The 500m time trial win saw Field become the owner of World, Oceania and Australian titles since the start of the year. "I don’t even know what it feels like. You don’t really think about it like that. But when you put it like that it is an amazing and extraordinary thing to do."