Gail Wooten

Gail Wooten (now Swart) was born in Hamilton in 1956.

She emerged from Hamilton Girls’ High School as one of New Zealand’s top sprinters and hurdlers.

In 1972, she defied her youth to beat a strong field and win the national 200m title, signalling her emergence in the senior ranks.

A product of the Hamilton City Hawks club, she went on to compete at two Commonwealth Games and to add further New Zealand titles to her collection – first another 200m title in December 1973 in a national championship held early in the season so it could double as a trial for the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games team.

Wooten’s victory ensured her selection. Considering New Zealand’s sprinting strength at the time, including Wendy Brown, Kim Robertson and Penny Hunt, this was a commendable performance. She later won four national 100m hurdles titles - 1975, and from 1978-80.

At the Christchurch Commonwealth Games, Wooten ran in both sprints. In the 100m, her 4th place in her heat, in 11.9s was enough to earn her a spot in the semi-finals as a fastest loser. Wooten surprised with a competitive performance in the semi-finals. Her 11.9 earned her 6th place in her heat and 10th equal placing overall.

In the 200m, Wooten negotiated the heats more comfortably, having run 24.0s. With the first four in each semi-final to progress to the finals, she was 5th in her semi in 24.0s, again finishing 10th overall.

Wooten also helped make up a strong New Zealand 4 x 100m relay team, along with Robertson, Brenda Matthews and Brown. They finished second to Ghana in their heat, in 45.5s and improved to 44.7s in the final for 5th place, a strong performance for a very young team.

Wooten focused on the 100m hurdles at the 1978 Edmonton Commonwealth Games. She eased through her heat in 14.14s and improved to 13.77s in the final – 5th place. Again Wooten lined up for the 4 x 100m relay. This time her team-mates were Brown, Robertson and Penny Hunt and they ran 45.05s for 4th place.

In January 1975, competing in the New Zealand Games, Wooten ran 13.77s for the 100m hurdles, which still ranks her 14th in the all-time lists. She equalled this time three years later in Edmonton.

Wooten married outstanding New Zealand cyclist Jack Swart and they lived in Hamilton. She worked at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in Hamilton.