Southland students to line up against country's top school talent
Based on current national rankings (Athletics New Zealand rank every athlete who meet a certain standard in performance order for every event) a number of Southland athletes are worth watching.
This coming weekend will see the cream of Southland’s high school athletes in Christchurch for the national secondary school champs.
These are probably the hardest national titles to win. As well as the top teenage athletes, you have talented rugby, soccer, rowing, netball etc specialists capable of performing well at a national level. That’s the excitement of the secondary school champs: you can aways expect the unexpected.
Based on current national rankings (Athletics New Zealand rank every athlete who meet a certain standard in performance order for every event) a number of Southland athletes are worth watching.
Ollie Davis has a good chance of medalling in the senior long and triple jumps. The Central Southland College student heads the U18 long jump rankings and is high in the triple jump standings.
He won bronze in both as a junior last year.
The senior long jump could have a strong Southland presence as Connor Gilliland (CSC) and William Robertson (JHC) are also ranked in the top 10 nationally.
For Cody Lawson (SBHS), currently ranked second among the junior grade 200 and 400, standing on the medal dais in both events.is not an impossibility.
Southland will be well represented in the distance events. Siena Mackley (WHS) is the current NZ U18 3000m champion as well as silver medallist from the national crosscountry championships, so has the right credentials for a high placing in the senior 3000m and 1500m. Kennedy Taylor (SGHS) will join Siena in the 3000m. She is also entered in the steeplechase, an event she medalled in (gold) as a junior 3 years ago.
The steeplechase is a tough and technical event and one little mistake can easily cost a number of places but if all goes well Kennedy could very well be in medal contention.
The same goes for Millie McFadzien (StPG) and Jorgia Tucker (SGHS), with the pair first and second in junior age rankings.
Hurdles is another event where a small mistake could have a big effect. Connor Gilliland and Jakob Voorkamp SBHS) are capable of making their finals – Connor senior 110m senior and Jakob junior 100 and 300. Once there, anything can happen, including medals.
Max McGregor StPG) is still to make up his mind what he will race. He’s entered in the 800, 1500, road race and steeplechase and is a medal contender in all. However, the 800 and 1500 finals plus road race and steeple are all on Sunday. Four distance races in a few hours is a step too far, even for someone as talented as Max.
To many the blue riband event of the champs is the senior 1500m. James McLeay has hopes of emulating another SBHS pupil, Jordan Rackham, who won in 2014 and 2015.
James is ranked 6th U18 nationally but will face stiff opposition from Cantabrians Cooper Wightman and Angus Sevier but has the ability and training background to cause an upset.
Keep on eye on the senior shot and discus. Chances are you’ll see Carlie Scherp’s name up among the leaders. Likewise, the junior girl’s and boy’s triple jump with Sara Aynsley (StPG) and Riley Wilson (GHS).
On paper, these are some of the Southland athletes predicted to do well. But races are not run on paper: the only valid prediction is the lack of predictability. As said at the beginning, be prepared for surprises.