Commonwealth Games: Our medal magnets

Chris Ciriello, celebrating his Hockey World Cup success, might achieve a rare double of a World Cup medallion and a Commonwealth Games gold in the same year if everything goes to plan for the Kookaburras this weekend. 122531 Picture: GRANT TREEBY

By JARROD POTTER

WE HAVE been spoiled for success at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games already, but there is more local talent on offer as the 20th games come to a close this week.
Jeff Riseley, Harkaway’s middle-distance champion, qualified for the 800m final despite being hip-and-shouldered into fifth in his semi-final with a time of 1.47.82.
He will also compete in the 1500m to finish his Glasgow campaign – with the heats held on 1 August before the final, which will be 4.35am on Saturday morning.
Endeavour Hills born-and-bred Chris Ciriello, fresh off his Hockey World Cup triumph with the Kookaburras, will get his chance when the raging favourite Australians head towards the pointy end of the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament.
Australia has one more preliminary round match – squaring off against Scotland at 11.30pm Australian time tonight – before the brackets can be allocated for the semi-finals.
Australia has already qualified for the semi-final round – set to face either New Zealand or England in the cross over semi-final to decide who advances to the gold medal match.
The success so far has been plentiful – a gold medal, two silvers and a three bronze medals from our contingent.
Laetisha Scanlan secured the first gold of the competition for the locals – shooting her way back into contention after a disastrous qualifying round to settle and fire her way to the women’s trap top honour.
Josh Beaver has been a revelation in the pool this games, earning himself a silver medal in his beloved 200m backstroke, an individual bronze in the 100m backstroke – to secure the Casey TigerSharks’ first Commonwealth Games medal – and a silver in the 4×100 medley relay after swimming in the heats team.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games conclude on Sunday 3 August (Glasgow time) before the closing ceremony at 5.30am on Monday morning, televised live on Channel 10.

Links to our other Commonwealth Games success stories are available to read from the links below.

PAKENHAM GAZETTE – LOCAL ATHLETE MEDAL TALLY
Laetisha Scanlan (Berwick) – GOLD, Women’s trap. http://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/gazette/2014-07-31/take-a-shot-at-gold/

Josh Beaver (Tooradin) – SILVER, Men’s 200m backstroke. SILVER, Men’s medley relay. BRONZE, Men’s 100m backstroke. http://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/gazette/2014-07-31/viva-la-beaver/

Matson Lawson (Casey TigerSharks, from Langwarrin) – BRONZE, Men’s 200m backstroke. http://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/gazette/2014-07-31/viva-la-beaver/

Lalita Yauhleuskaya (Berwick) – BRONZE, Women’s 25m pistol. http://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/gazette/2014-07-31/take-a-shot-at-gold/