Strong competition on display despite lack of numbers

The second night of the Athletics ManawatuWanganui championships was last Tuesday at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui and once again we saw some good competition.

But it must be a concern to see the lack of numbers, particularly in the senior grades.

Gone are the days when these championships saw athletes needing to run heats to qualify for the final, now we are seeing grades combined to fill all lanes in finals.

Having said this, we must recognise we have very talented youngsters, who no doubt benefit from competing against older athletes.

In the women’s 200m, the title went to an 11 year old, with a 13 year old second and a masters athlete in third.

I have already spoke of my high regard for Monique Whiteman, who I have been predicting big things from in the future, but in Wanganui’s Gemma Maples there is something very special.

To see an 11 year old line up against older athletes and run 26.54 seconds for 200m had to be seen to be believed.

Palmerston North athletes dominated the men’s 200m, with Scott Burch winning the title in 22.45sec, being pushed all the way by Jordan Peters, who stopped the clock at 22.70s.

Paddy Kellow was next over the line, ahead of Aidan Smith and masters’ athlete Hayden Robinson.

The 3000m proved to be a Macdermid family benefit, when in filling the first four placings, they each claimed a centre title.

Kara was first across the line in 9min 24.27sec, claiming the senior and junior women’s title.

Father Paul was next, taking the senior and masters title in 9min 32.71sec, son Noah claimed the youth male title in 9min 41.04sec and daughter Zia the youth female title in 9min 52.15sec.

Ashhurst’s Benjamin Wall was next over the line, followed by Feilding’s Tessa Webb.

Scott Burch was asked to be the pacemaker for the men’s 800m and was right on target, taking the field through in 54 seconds, which allowed Wanganui’s Josh Ledger (1min 53.3sec) and Geordie Beamish (1min 53.5sec) to both run personal bests.

Another to run a personal best was David Lovelock, who finally broke the two-minute barrier, clocking 1min 59.3sec to regain the honour of being the fastest Palmerston North athlete over this distance this year.

In the women’s 800m there was the unfamiliar sight of Vanessa Story lining up.

She ran a very good tactical race, sitting on the pacemaking Ariana Blackwood’s shoulder, then sprinted clear to claim the centre title, ahead of the fastfinishing sisters Frances and Caelin Allen.

Athletics Manawatu-Wanganui has a good history of successful twins, with two that come to mind, the Signal and Spriggens twins, and it would certainly not surprise me to see these two repeat the successes of the past.

Jordan Peters had to be satisfied with a 1.95m clearance to win the high jump title with Mark Seumanu clearing 1.60m to take the youth title .

Four athletes cleared the winning height of 1.45m in the women’s high jump, with Blackwood winning the event on countback from Georgia Whiteman, Ranae Savill and Kylie Moore, who all were tied for second.

Feilding athletes dominated the discus, with Blackwood’s 41.08m heading off Hayley Dixon’s 37.67m in the women’s event, with Jack Beatson’s 40.20m the best male effort, ahead of Jack Nesdale’s 38.54m.

This week is a big week for the Palmerston North club, as it welcomes new and returning students.

I know there will be a particular big welcome in store for Diana Solis, who has returned from Mexico to continue her studies at Awatapu College.

It will be great to see that big smile back at the track.

Another return we have been awaiting is Quin Hartley’s, after he suffered a serious injury from a high jump training accident last year.

I also understand a couple of highly-ranked high jumpers in Hamish Kerr and Matthew Peters have arrived in the city, along with Jordan Peters.

We should be in for some great club night high jumping and training sessions.

Each year we see a number of talented athletes coming to Palmerston North to continue their studies and it is important that they make the most of the opportunities the city has to offer.

The Palmerston North club has outstanding facilities with an allweather athletics track on campus, which is always available for training and some of the country’s best coaches and officials, who are always willing to help with your training.