South Canterbury athletes enjoyed a golden touch at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships in Wellington, punching well above their weight.
Competing in Canterbury colours, they returned with 10 titles and two silver medals across a variety of disciplines, both on the track and in the field, showing the depth of the province at the top level.
Builder Tom Walsh led the charge, winning the much-anticipated shot put showdown over Jacko Gill, with a New Zealand residents’ record of 20.73m.
His win, a highlight of the championships, shows he is without question the No 1 men’s putter in New Zealand.
Walsh even successful appealed a put that had been given as a foul – a rare feat, indeed. Walsh was the only senior athlete from South Canterbury competing at the meeting but plenty of talent is coming up behind him.
Lauren Bruce impressed in the field events, winning three golds and a silver medal.
Bruce won the under-18 and under-20 hammer competitions and also took out the under-18 discus title.
Her 61.89m effort in the under-18 hammer was also a personal best. Bruce also stepped up for the open women’s hammer and finished second, completing an outstanding championships.
After being bridesmaid on several occasions, Ruby Cochrane won her first New Zealand title with a gold in the under-20 discus.
Sprinter Jacob Matson claimed the under-20 double, winning both the 100m and 200m events. His 10.89sec effort in the 100m was the first time he legally dipped under the 11sec mark, showing his continued improvement.
Jonathon Lord also impressed with a golden double in the under-20 3km and 10km track walk.
James Sandiland’s gold-winning efforts came with a touch of luck.
He stumbled after clipping the second hurdle but made a miraculous recovery to win the under-20 100m event despite also clipping the fifth hurdle as well.
The results meant all three South Canterbury track and field coaches – Ian Baird, Don Garland and Grant Lord had success – with national title-holders showing the sports are in good health locally.