Pair share top honours

OTAGO Rowing is spoilt for choice.

So much so the association was unable to separate its premier athletes, deciding on two dedicated rowers to share its top gong this season.

Jack Pearson (Dunstan Arm) and Juliette Lequeux (Otago University) were named joint rower of the year at the Otago Rowing Awards on Tuesday night.

Both had standout seasons for their clubs, with Pearson capping off his year by being selected in the New Zealand under21 team.

He won gold and silver at the New Zealand championships, two South Island club titles, two golds and a bronze at the Canterbury championships, and gold and silver at the Otago championships.

Lequeux had a strong domestic season, her highlights including four golds at the Otago championships, two Canterbury titles and three gold medals at the South Island championships. She picked up silver at the national championships as well.

They were part of a celebratory night for their respective clubs, with each picking up three awards.

Pearson was already in the limelight earlier in the night, winning crew of the year with his men’s senior double partner, Angus Kenny. Henry Clatworthy was named club rower of the year.

For Otago University, Hannah Matehaere and Manaia Butler were named novice crew of the year and Glen Sinclair was named coach of the year.

John McGlashan’s Angus Loe won male school rower of the year and Otago Girls’ Harriet Thompson picked up female school rower of the year for their great seasons. Isabella Davey (Columba College) was named coxswain of the year.

Wa¯naka’s Dana Leishman was named masters rower of the year, while Paul Merriman picked up administrator of the year for his work at Otago Girls’.