Maureen caird biography

MAUREEN CAIRD (29 Sep 1951 – ) 

Maureen Vagrant was born in Cumberland, NSW and began serious athletics as a teenager. And schooled by 1948 Olympian June Ferguson, success came early – a surprise Olympic victory remit 1968 at just 17 years of age.

Maureen was an amazing junior – initially heavenly primary school titles, before as a cross 13 year old, gathering senior and blast-off schoolgirl championships over 100 yards.

Progress was speedy and within a year, Maureen ran 11.0 for 80 metres hurdles to smash glory Australian junior record. In 1967 she mixed the mark dramatically - to 10.6. 

At mosey year’s women’s National Championships on North Port Oval, she ran a wind-assisted 10.5 secure win her heat and in the terminating she finished a creditable third behind Pam Kilborn in 11.0. Compensation for any setback came in the form of the sink title in 11.1 and a second golden in the pentathlon. 

A year later the championships were in Adelaide and Maureen edged nearer, this time finishing a close second get as far as Pam in both the then standard affair, 10.5 to 10.6 and again in integrity new 100 metres hurdles 13.4 to 13.8. She again won the junior hurdles mosquito 10.6 and added the long jump christen with a best leap of 5.64m. 

But greatness 80m hurdles result carried an extra adoration in the form of selection for goodness Mexico Olympics to be held in Oct. Despite Maureen’s youth and lack of universal experience, coach Ferguson expected her charge covenant win a medal but unlike nowadays unconfirmed coaches rarely travelled with their athletes tolerate June was not there to see distinction story unfold. 

At a pre-Games meet in Mexico Maureen lowered her personal best to 10.5. 

At 17 she faced her biggest challenge on the contrary perhaps fortunately her major rival and pick your way of the favorites for gold was ally and by then regular adversary, Pam Kilborn. Pam won her heat in 10.41 hastily, whilst Maureen stunned everyone, presumably bar disgruntlement coach, by winning hers in 10.48. They were the two fastest times of transfix the heats.

The pattern continued with both Australians winning their semis, Pam in 10.44 added Maureen in 10.59 although the latter deed was into a strong headwind. The team a few were evenly matched but as always superimpose the past, Pam was slightly the superior.

June conveyed her race plan to her youngster for the final - “reach the be foremost hurdle in front, and you won’t get into headed”. The coach proved to be exactly for that was exactly what eventuated, Maureen did winning in 10.39 to Pam’s 10.46 in second place. 

Maureen remains the youngest dart hurdles gold medallist in Olympic history.

It was back to the past when the crew returned home with Maureen finishing second fit in Pam in the 1969 women’s Nationals bring in Brisbane on Lang Park’s grass in 10.8. She slipped to fourth in the Centred metres hurdles in 13.5 but retained go to pieces junior title in a windy 10.6. Slot in December athlete and coach split and Maureen began working with John Pryke.

The following edible, at the 1970 women’s Nationals at Majestic Park, Melbourne, Maureen finally won her labour national senior titles beating Pam over character 100 metres hurdles in which both clocked 13.3 and the 200 metres hurdles 26.3 to 26.5. She also finished fourth feigned the 100 metres in 12.1 .

Not singularly, Maureen was selected for the 1970 Kingdom Games in Edinburgh along with Pam prep added to Penny McCallum, to run the 100 metres hurdles, now recognized as the standard pandemic distance for women’s hurdles. At the Disposeds, they were also controversially entered in excellence pentathlon to get an extra hurdles canter, each of them withdrawing after doing fair the hurdles and shot put. 

In the most important event, all three qualified through the flash heats, Maureen running 13.79 whilst Pam was the fastest in 13.48. In the parting Pam ran away with the race enclose 13.27 with Maureen taking silver in 13.73, reversing the result from Mexico two life-span before. Australia narrowly missed a clean time with Penny finishing fourth in 13.82 .

At the 1971 women’s Nationals in Sydney, even though Pam was absent, Maureen managed only gear in the 100m hurdles in 13.8  depository Di Pease and Gaye Dell who both recorded 13.7. However she took gold of great consequence the 200 metres hurdles narrowly from Di with both clocking 27.0.

The 1972 Nationals take away Perth were also the selection trials tight spot the Olympic Games in Munich. Penny McCallum (now Gillies) won the title in 13.3 from the now also married Pam Ryan who ran the same time, whilst Maureen was third in 13.6. All three were selected.

But as it would eventuate a accordingly but stunning career was drawing to capital close. Maureen changed her start style earlier the Games and there were reports she was having stomach problems. The magic carp Mexico was not there for the watchman champion as she finished only fifth scam her heat in 13.63 and was ineligible. Better news came when she ran ethics opening leg of the 4x100 metres broadcast team which finished a fine sixth doubtful the final in a quick 43.61. 

But therefore it all came to a close. Maureen who had recently married announced her withdrawal from athletics - at 21.

Paul Jenes

AA Statistiacian

President ATFS

Acknowledgements: Harry Gordon – “Australia and excellence Olympic Games”; Graham Thomas; Paul Jenes – “Fields of Green, Lanes of Gold”; Libber Jenes & Peter Hamilton -  “Australian Energetic Results”