Southland runners to compete for national titles in Taupo
The Southland team maybe small but it’s a good one, including two returning gold medallists from last year at the same venue in Taupo.
A small contingent of Southland athletes have made the trip to Taupo to compete in Saturday’s national cross-country championships.
The team maybe small but it’s a good one, including two returning gold medallists from last year at the same venue.
Debbie Telfer won the master 60-64 grade a year ago but this year she moves up to the 65-69 grade.
Her main threat will come from last year’s W65 winner, Margie Peat of Auckland. In the last two national championship encounters the pair are one all. Tomorrow [Saturday] will be an interesting battle over the hilly 6km course.
At the other end of the age range, Max McGregor took gold in the U14 race a year ago.
This time he’s in the U16 grade and runs 4000m instead of 3000. But his dominance in local events and a superb third in the NZ secondary school Year 9 championships suggests a high placing, possibility a medal.
Gore clubmate Mille McFadzien takes proven local form into her W16 4000 race. Millie easily won the Southland secondary school championship (by 2 ½ minutes) and placed 4th in the NZ secondary schools as well as winning silver at the NZ secondary schools road race last December.
Well coached by her cousin Hannah Miller (current NZ marathon, half marathon and 10k champion) she has the credentials for a top finish.
The rest of the team, Kennedy Taylor (W20), Lucas Huia M18), James McLeay(M18), Siena Mackley (W18) and Ben Scott (M20) have all demonstrated good recent form.
Kennedy and James both won the senior Southland Schools championships in record times with Siena second and Lucas third in the same races.
As well, Kennedy has been run herself into the NZ Secondary Schools team to compete in the Australian schools champs next month. Ben is another with good times from recent races.
At an event like this age has no bearing on team support. You’ll likely hear shouts of “Go Debbie” from someone young enough to be her grandchild as well as “C’mon ….” from older to younger.
They’re all athletes and they are all one team representing Southland. It’s how it should be.
Keep an eye on The Tribune next week for a wrap of how they get on.