Strong showing by Manawatu¯ athletes
The North Island Colgate Games were victim to the weekend bad weather, with the first day of the meeting having to be abandoned on the advice of civil defence.
This cancellation saw the need to compress the remaining two days’ programmes, with all track race heats scheduled for day 1 and 2 becoming timed finals rather than qualification events for the final. Timed finals collate the times from all heats together and medals are awarded to the fastest three times.
There were some great results from the local athletes, with Kylah Gunn being the standout, winning both the girls’ 11-year 800m and 1500m races. Watching videos of these victories, one couldn’t have been more impressed with the manner of her 1500m win.
Her finishing sprint was Peter Snell-like as she powered away from her rivals, going to the line well clear. Alex Willis and Braydn Popow both won gold medals in the walk while Levin’s Amelia Mckay also came home with gold, winning the girls’ 12 long jump.
Sophie Williams finished second in both the girls’ 13-year 100m and 200m races. Courtney Trow took out the silver medal from the girl’s 14 high jump, while Ashhurst’s Janee Laing also collected silver from the girls’ 11 walk.
Bronze medals came the way of Maggie Cadzow in the girls’ 12 walk and Amber Trow in the girls’ 11 high jump. The successes of the Trow girls in the high jump should not come as a surprise, as their mother Lisa still tops the club’s alltime ranking list for the high jump.
Those to just miss out on medals, finishing fourth, included Johnny Rouxell in the boys’ 11 high jump, Maraea Coleman in the girls’ 11 400m, Ashleigh Gunn in the girls’ 14 800m, Rueben Duker (Feilding) in the boys’ 11 1500m and the girls’ 11 4x100 relay.
Palmerston North athletes made regular appearances on the victory dais, collecting pennants in the 7- to 9-year grades. Chloe Groube was second in the girls’ 7 100m. Our 9-year-olds did well, with Libby Harris receiving second place pennants for the 100m and 200m races and bronze pennants from the shot put and 60m.
Stella Groube claimed a silver pennant in the 60m. Juliet Mckinlay was a gold pennant winner taking, out the long jump and adding silver in the 100m. Tayler Trow received two silver pennants from the long jump and 100m.
Ashton Dorn won silver pennants in the boys’ 8 long jump, 60m and 100m, but one of the team’s highlights was seeing him with a big smile on his face as he received his gold pennant. He took a heavy tumble after crossing the line in winning the 200m, which left him sore and bruised, but the smile said it all.
We are indeed fortunate to have a dedicated management team of Vanessa Story and Shaun Popow looking after our athletes. The feedback from parents has been full of praise for their efforts, especially the way they were able to cope with the additional pressures of changes resulting from the first day disruptions,
Athletes heading down south
This weekend we have seven athletes competing in the South Island Colgate Games in Timaru.
Beau Kennedy will compete in the boys’ 7 grade long jump, shot put, 60m 100m and 200m events. Hunter Kennedy will contest the high jump, long jump, 100m 200m and 400m events for 10-year-old boys, while older brother Forbes will contest the same events in the boys’ 12 grade.
William Rolfe is entered in the boys’ 9 grade discus, long jump, 60m, and 100m and 200m races; Eden Rolfe the grade 11 long jump 100m and 200m events; Jayde Rolfe is entered in the 100m 200m and 400m races. Sophie Williams completes the local line up and will be hoping to add to her North Island medals as she contests the girls’ 13 year 100m and 200m sprints.
Striders event returns
The popular Manawatu¯ Striders’ Super seven series commences on Tuesday, January 16, with the
options of 3km and 7km runs, starting from the YMCA at 6.15pm.
Palmerston North Parkrun is also proving popular with numbers around the 150 mark taking part in this Saturday morning event. It is certainly a welcome addition to the local running scene.