Kerr appears back to his best

There has been great news,with reports that 2015 national high jump champion Hamish Kerr appears back to his best after missing last season due to injury. Competing in Auckland last weekend, he comfortably cleared 2.10m, before narrowly missing 2.15m, which would have been a personal best. It is a positive sign for him and a great confidence builder.

After the final round of the Central region teams competition, Wanganui have won the title by getting 237 points, ahead of Palmerston North’s 197 points and Wellington Harrier and Athletic third with 130 points.

Congratulations to Wanganui for finally breaking the Palmerston North club’s dominance as the Lower North Island’s top club, winning the series with a 581 points overall, to Palmerston North’s 527 points.

These clubs were well clear of Taranaki who were third with 313 points.

The venues for next season’s series have been confirmed, with the first round in Inglewood, the second round awarded to Wanganui, as the Palmerston North track is expected to be unavailable due to track resurfacing, with Masterton hosting the final round.

This weekend it is the turn of our secondary school athletes to take the limelight, with Auckland’s Waitakere Stadium the venue for the New Zealand secondary school championships, with more than 30 Manawatu athletes entered.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School have Aidan Smith defending his senior javelin title and he will need to produce his best, especially after the performance of Cam Robinson in Wellington recently.

Harrison Porritt has been showing good form and providing he has recovered from an injury set back, is expected to prominent in the senior boys 800m.

Benjamin Wall, who won the year 9 road race last year, is a good chance to win the junior 1500m.

Bradyn Popow, while being one of the younger competitors, will be competitive in the open walk.

Digger Doyle has a great reputation for being able to produce great relay teams and this year he has teams entered in both junior relays.

Mark Seumanu competes in the high jump and has been performing well.

Palmerston North Girls’ High School have four athletes attending, with Monique Whiteman and Emma Leader competing in the junior grades.

Whiteman runs the 400m and Leader the 100m, 200m and long jump.

Their strongest competition is expected to come from the outstanding Wanganui Collegiate School duo of Genna Maples and Tayla Bruger.

Georgia Whiteman is a medal prospect in the 300m hurdles, with Georgia Cole expected to do well in the hammer throw.

Freyberg High School have Theo Purdy as a definite prospect in the junior 4000m road race, with Lea Muetzel (senior) and Ranae Savill (junior) both expected to do well in the high jump.

Sam Mackinder is another of our talented youngsters and she will be representing Manukura in the junior girls 2000m steeplechase and high jump.

St Peter’s College have Kyra Tikitiki contesting the highly competitive junior girls 100m and 200m, and Bernard Wagenar the senior boys sprints.

Tessa Webb will be Feilding High School’s top hope, but I would be concerned at her heavy workload if she contests all the events she is entered for.

She has been entered in the senior girls 3000m, 4000m road race and the 2000m steeplechase.

Whichever events she contests she is sure to be a top prospect.

James Bolton is expected to do well in the senior long jump and triple jump, as is Jack Beatson in the senior boys throws.

An area Manawatu always performs well in is the Athletes With Disability events, and I expect the trend to continue.

Feilding’s Jack Lewer must be one of the favourites to take out both the senior boys PA II grade shot put and discus titles.

We have a great representation in the 100m and 200m event, with Awatapu College’s Braden Kendall and Hayden Wilson being joined by Tararua College’s Jamie Davidson.

Wilson is also entered in the long jump, and Kendall and Davidson will join Lewer in the shot put.