Tascott high jumper, Nicola McDermott, continued her unique rivalry with Victoria’s Eleanor Patterson last weekend (February 29) when the pair competed at the Wellington Track Classic.
Both jumpers have already qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, having cleared at the qualifying height of 1.96 metres on several occasions over recent months, and both are now closing in on the elusive 2 metre mark and a new Australian record.
On Saturday, it was Patterson who prevailed, clearing the bar at 1.99 metres, a new personal best for the young Victorian.
McDermott, who once again cleared at 1.96 metres, came agonisingly close to also clearing at 1.99 metres, just grazing the bar on her way over.
The 186cm tall McDermott has endeared herself to the Australian athletics community over the past year with her incredibly positive attitude and her trademark “Smiling Nic” setup.
She is no stranger to big event jumps, having won the bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
McDermott was also named Sydney University’s Blue Athlete of the year in late 2019.
It was the third time the pair have gone head to head in as many weeks and they are set to meet again at the Australian Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park in March.
Reporter: Ross Barry