Matthew Peters is the fourth-ranked junior high jumper in the country.
Last week I covered the local athletes who appeared in the open-grade listings of the Athletics NZ national ranking lists, this week I will look at the age-grade listings.
The Athletic New Zealand age groups are junior – athletes those aged under 20 on December 31, 2015 – and youth athletes – those under 18 on this date.
The listings only recognise those performances using the appropriate IAAF weighted implements, in some events an 18-year-old competing at Secondary Schools’ Nationals will use a lighter implement than what they are required to use in junior competition so their results from the secondary school championships do not qualify for the ranking list.
Quin Hartley figures prominently in the junior listings with his 54.89s 400m hurdle time giving him top-ranking.
He also places fourth with his 400m time and eighth in the 200m list.
Not surprisingly, with the number one ranking on the open list, Hamish Kerr also tops the junior high jump listing with Matthew Peters the fourth-ranked junior.
Feilding’s Jack Beaton also makes the list in 12th place in the hammer and 15th in the discus.
Aidan Smith gained top-rankings in the youth listings in the the javelin with his 58.69m throw.
He also has the fifth listing in the junior grade.
Harrison Porritt was first in youth 800m with his 1m 55.44s time.
He also ranked sixth in the 300m hurdles.
Others to appear on the rankings are Michael Knight, seventh in the javelin, Paddy Kellow, sixth in the 400m and eighth over 200m, and Jacob Aomare-Poole, 12th in the high jump.
The girls are equally impressive with Kara Macdermid achieving second rankings in junior listings for both the 1500m and 3000m events.
Palu Fia has the sixth best shot put listing and ninth discus, one place better than Haylee Dixon.
In the girls’ youth grade, Zia Macdermid is listed as third best over 1500m, fourth over 3000m and 27th in the 800m.
Lea Meutzel has the fifth-best high jump clearance of the year.
Haylee Dixon is seventh in discus and fourteenth in the shot, an event in which Elisha Burne has the 26th listing.
Her best event, however, is the hammer where she is shown as sixth-best with Georgia Cole being listed 14th.
The 300m hurdles sees Courtney Walsh with the seventh-place listing and Georgia Whiteman 14th.
Tessa Webb completes the listing with seventh on the 3000m listings and 27th on the 1500m list.
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I was saddened to learn that Noel Warner had passed away.
I have very fond memories of Noel as an outstanding administrator and official from my competitive days.
I have been able to locate a copy of Memories of Yesterday, a booklet compiled by Molly Dorne to mark the Golden Jubilee of the West Coast North Island Centre back in 1982.
In this booklet, Noel’s contribution to our sport was covered.
His employment with the ANZ Bank saw him move around the district, but wherever he went he quickly became involved starting with the Kiwi club in Wellington, before moving to Palmerston North in 1952, becoming treasurer of the Palmerston North Athletic and Cycling Club in 1954 and that club’s president in 1960.
A move to Wanganui saw him secretary treasurer of the club there from 1963-65, before moving onto Levin where he took on the president role for three years.
His promotion to bank manager Terrace End saw him back in the Palmerston North club’s presidential role.
He was also on the executive of the Palmerston North Harrier Club and their president from 1978-79.
He was a vice president of the West Coast North Island Centre for eight years and also represented them as a NZAAA (now Athletics NZ) council member.
He was a top official and was the track referee at the 1982 national championships in Inglewood.
Noel was a key official the night Peter Snell set the world mile record in Wanganui.
After retiring from the bank, he owned a local book shop and then a motel in Rotorua and then worked for a trustee company in Auckland before retiring to Tauranga.
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The excitement is starting to build as we start the countdown towards the North Island Colgate Games, possibly the largest event to be held at the Manawatu Community Athletic Track.
I know the Athletics Manawatu Wanganui Children’s committee, who are hosting these games, have put in enormous time and efforts in trying to ensure they will be one of the best ever.
Have a great and safe New Year and a very enjoyable 2016.
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What’s on?
January 5 – Palmerston North Athletic and Harrier Club programme C
January 8-10 – North Island Colgate Games Palmerston North
January 12 – Manawatu Striders Super Seven Series
January 12 – Palmerston North Athletic and Harrier Club programme A
January 14 – Jump to Music, Hawera
January 16 – Potts Classic, Hastings
January 19 – Cooks Classic, Wanganui
January 22 – Capital Classic, Wellington
– Stuff
Next Sport story:
Good sports: Club rugby double-headers reduced to one for 2016 season
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