Kerr wows the crowd with top-class jump
Last week’s Athletic Manawatuwanganui championships provided another night of enjoyable athletics.
Despite great racing on the track, it was the field events that provided the meeting highlight, with Hamish Kerr’s efforts in the high jump capturing the attention of the crowd.
After equalling his personal best of 2.17m, he then went on to attempt 2.20m, only narrowly missing at this height.
His 2.17m clearance is the best in New Zealand this season and the second time he has bettered the B qualifying standard for the World University Games.
It was good to see Matthew Peters decide that rather than watch the high jump, he would compete and his 1.80m clearance was a good effort.
Lea Muetzel cleared 1.65m to take the women’s title, with Sam Mackinder and Ranae Saville both clearing 1.55m and Courtney Trow jumped a personal best 1.50m clearance.
In the long jump Jordan Peters took the title with a 6.55m leap. Matt Field achieved a personal best 5.79m to take third place.
I’m uncertain if there are national records for athletes, with transplants but this would be worthy of being one.
Genna Maples is an extraordinary talent, winning the long jump with a 5.28m best, heading off Pavinee Watson (5.15m) and Ariana Blackwood (4.98m).
Maples also won the 200m title in 25.89 ahead of Grace Godfrey and 12-year-old Sophie Williams.
In the men’s 200m Zac Topping clocked an impressive 22.00s, finishing clear of Harry Symes’ 22.35s and Quin Hartley’s 22.51s.
Brayden Grant showed a great finishing kick to win the 800m title in an impressive 1m 59.56d, while in the women’s race there were some good performances by our younger athletes, with Sam Mackinder running a personal best 2m 27.90s, Ashleigh Gunn 2m 29.97s and Nicole Whiteman 2m 34.95s.
The open 3000m proved to be an enthralling race with youngsters Benjamin Wall and Alexander Hull opening up an early lead, but as the race progressed David Lovelock started to whittle down the gap and was in contact with the leaders as they entered the final lap.
He proved too strong in the race to the line, winning in 8m 55.05s with Hull recording a personal best 8m 55.45s for second and Wall also a personal best 8m 58.23s for third. Tessa Webb won the women’s title, in 10m 02.52s.
Congratulations to Jack Lewer on being named Manawatu disabled sportsperson of the year (intellectual disability) and to Vanessa Story for being a finalist in the masters sportsperson category at the Manawatu Sports Awards on Friday night.
The New Zealand masters track and field championships were in Nelson last weekend and although I have been unable to
source the full results, social media tells me both Vanessa Story and Brayden Grant returned home winning four national titles each.
Brayden also set two new records in what has been described as very windy conditions, with sprinters having to contend with very strong headwinds.
This Sunday it is the turn of our younger athletes, with the Athletics Manawatu-wanganui childrens athletics championships at the Manawatu Community Athletics Track.
These championships are for children aged 7 to 14 years and after seeing results from Colgate Games, I am expecting great competition.
The number of outstanding athletes we have in the region is incredible, with several athletes eligible to compete at these championships already competing with considerable success at senior regional championships.
It is good to see a good number of Manawatu athletes entering the Athletics New Zealand championships in Hamilton March 17-19.
When I checked the confirmed entry list on Sunday night there were 22 entries from Manawatu athletes.
I hope the weather plays its part for all those taking part in the Relay for Life this weekend.
It is a great fundraiser for a great cause and there’s lots of fun to be had.
I hope to see a few of our athletes taking part.