Lewer does his club proud
Jack Lewer, world champion, sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? We are very proud to congratulate Jack on becoming the Palmerston North club’s first world champion, after he won New Zealands’ first gold medal at the world junior Para athletics championships in the F20 under-20 shot put in Nottwil, Switzerland on Sunday.
An early highlight at the championships for Lewer was when he was given the honour of carrying the New Zealand flag at the opening ceremony.
It is a great honour and a task he carried out with considerable pride, but there was better to come.
He had a shaky start to the competition with his first two throwsg ruled as fouls, but from there on he was in command with his remaining four throws better than the second place getter’s best effort.
Lewer’s winning effort was his 10.70m throw.
I loved Jack’s reported comment that he was absolutely thrilled to win the gold, suggesting his win could lead to more success ahead of New Zealand’s shot putters competing at the world athletics championship final yesterday.
He said he set the standard for Walsh and Gill. ‘‘It could be a good weekend for New Zealand shot putters,’’ Lewer said.
There was more good news from Matt Field via coach Anne Thomson.
Matt recently competed in Glasgow at the British Organ Transplant Games. He won gold for his age group in high jump and long jump, silver in the 200m and bronze in the 100m.
Without training facilities in Europe (having a well-deserved holiday), and a worsening meniscal tear, Matt’s performances were below what he would have liked.
However, he was still showing his
fellow competitors what he can do and he will be quite a force when competing at his best again. Well done Matt.
On Sunday was the third round of the winter track and field series in Masterton.
While numbers were once again disappointing, with most competitors ones who travelled from Palmerston North, Zac Topping was once again the leading sprinter, running another quick 10.96s 100 metre race, finishing clear of Jordan Peters.
In the women’s race Wellington’s Zinta Waugh claimed victory in 13.11s ahead of Pavinee Watson.
Peters had a fairly consistent series in winning the men’s long jump, with his best effort a 6.89m jump.
Watson had to be content with second placing, with her best effort of 4.89m just short of Laura Hamilton’s winning 4.95m jump.
In the high jump all five competitors were from Manawatuwanganui.
Lea Muetzel cleared 1.60m to win the women’s event, with Ranae Savill clearing 1.55m and Courtney Trow 1.40m.
Jacob Aomarere-poole won the men’s event with a 1.80m clearance.
We have some great parental support and it is always great to see parents step up and help officiate when required.
Thanks Anita Muetzel and Lisa Trow for being out on the high jump fan, helping Brian Curry run the high jump events.
Congratulations to our two latest international athletes.
Sophie Williams (under 14) and Bradyn Popow (under 16) have been named in the Pacific School games New Zealand team to compete at the Australian all schools championships in Adelaide in December.
This year’s New Zealand secondary schools track and field championships are in Hastings in December and they will be looking for officials to help at this meeting.
Application forms are now available and I would recommend anyone interested complete an application form.
Don’t be put off by a lack of experience as meetings such as this provide the chance to work alongside more experienced officials