The Olympic bronze medallist Eliza McCartney is happy with her silver in the pole vault at the Commonwealth Games.
Eliza McCartney of New Zealand wins silver at the Women's Pole Vault Final. Photo: Photosport
It came down to a duel with Canada's Alysha Newman.
McCartney's first blemish came when she missed 4.70m on her first attempt. She cleared it on the second.
She missed her first attempt at 4.75m then Newman, who missed her first two attempts at 4.70m made an audacious move by going for 4.75m.
The Canadian cleared it and all the pressure then went on McCartney.
The 21-year-old tried to go one better, attempting 4.80m but was unable to clear it with the two attempts she had left.
"I knew I would have to fight really hard to get in the medals and do well. I got out there and I gave it my all and it got me second and I can't even be disappointed with the medal and I'm happy.
"I think the disappointment comes from those last attempts at 4.80m, I certainly hit the height and I definitely know I can clear those heights so it was a little disappointing I couldn't pull it out today," she said.
"I was on the biggest poles I've ever used and I wasn't quite getting around them enough which is quite difficult with the big poles," she added.
McCartney said she knew Newman was capable of winning.
"Alysha was really jumping well today and I also know that she is a good competitor, she just fires it when she competes and so it was not unexpected and I'm glad she was jumping the best she could as that is amazing for her and regardless of what she jumped I was still focussing on the bigger heights that I wanted to get. If I'd jumped 4.80, 85, 90 I wouldn't have cared if I'd come second at all. If there's any disappointment it comes from how I was jumping not from the placing."
New Zealand's other competitor in the pole vault 18 year old Olivia McTaggart finished ninth with a height of 4.30m.
The former national junior and youth champion had come back from injury, injuring her ankle during the warm up at the New Zealand championships in Hamilton last month.
"I was really close to my PB, it was really hard not to get that, but considering my build up I'm really happy, I can't complain.
"The atmosphere was crazy, and I'm so proud of Eliza getting that second, it was so awesome to see. It ended up to be a really tough competition and it was good to be part of it.
"My opening height 3.85m was nice and easy, four metres was a little bit scary and I had to get it second attempt and then 4.15m and on from there I felt a lot more confident, and the 4.30m where the bar just stayed there.
"It was really hard at the 4.40m as I've been going for that PB for so long, it is my PB. So considering my injuries and everything that I've been through I'm just so proud to be here," said McTaggart.
