Otago well placed to defend SI title

OTAGO has named its team to defend its South Island interprovincial rowing title.

The team will compete at the earlyseason regatta on October 6 and 7 at Lake Ruataniwha.

It has been a tight competition between Otago and Canterbury in recent years, although Otago has had the edge.

That is an edge it is confident of retaining after naming a strong team.

The men’s team is headlined by Dunstan Arms’ Simon Smith, who claimed an impressive bronze medal in the open single sculls at this year’s national championships.

He is joined by several other impressive names, including youngster Bradley Leydon, who went to last year’s Junior World Championships.

Leydon is also part of a strong under20 scullers team, which is made up of four John McGlashan College pupils and expupils.

Among them is Jack McLaughlan, who claimed gold in the under17 single sculls at the Maadi Cup.

The women’s team should be equally tough to beat, the seniors boasting three rowers of the highly successful Otago Uni

versity squad, as well as North End’s Emma Wallace.

Meanwhile its under20 sweepers team has a strong Columba College influence, alongside University’s Gabby Hunter.

The under20 scullers team boasts plenty of upcoming talent too, including this year’s joint winners of school rower of the year in Eva Hofmans and Haylee Budd.