The outstanding talents of Wairarapa athletes April Campbell and Stevie Paine have been recognised by them being selected to represent New Zealand at the Pacific School Games in Canberra, Australia from November 30 to December 6.
Campbell 14, will contest the 90m hurdles while Paine, 13, will compete over 800m and
1500m and both are regarded by their Masterton coach Mark Harris as definite medal prospects.
That despite the fact the Pacific School Games will draw athletes from at least 25 different countries and is expected to attract over 7000 visitors to Australia's capital city.
Campbell won the 80m hurdles for her age group at both the North Island and South Island Colgate Games this year, as well as at the Colgate inter-provincial finals, and her best time of 12.55secs is a record for the Wellington region.
Harris says the extra 10m she will have to cover in Canberra will pose no problems for Campbell who has the perfect mix of basic speed and good hurdling technique.
"She has huge promise, no question of that," Harris said.
Paine, 13, was also one of the individual stars of the Colgates this year, winning her age group titles over 400m, 800m and 1500m at both the North Island and South Island meets and being equally as dominant at the inter-provincials.
Like Campbell she will only need to run up to her best times of 2mins 19secs for the 800m and 4mins 47secs for the 1500m to be a top three hope.
"Stevie has the knack of producing something special when the pressure is on, she far thrives on it," Harris said.
