Wairarapa athletes in medal contention

At least half of the 12 Wairarapa athletes competing under the Wellington banner at the national track and field championships in Auckland from tomorrow through until Sunday can realistically be touted as potential medal winners.
Foremost among them is sprinter Michael Wilson whose seedings suggest he could win medals in the men's19yrs grade in both the 100m, where he is ranked third, and the 200m where he is ranked second.
Courtnay Fafeita has qualified to compete in both the women's 16yrs and 19yrs discus events and a repeat of her best throw of 40.34m could see her push hard for first placing in the former, in particular.
Ellen Schaef is currently ranked fourth in the women's 19yrs 400m and with the top ranked runner not competing in that event her medal chances have been enhanced.
Vicki Paine is also ranked fourth in the women's 16yrs 400m and her third placing at the recent national secondary school championships was an ideal dress rehearsal for Auckland.
Chris Girling-McLean goes into the men's 16yrs 400m as the sixth ranked competitor but two of those ranked above him are known to be doubtful starters. His aim is to break the 50secs mark and if that is achieved a medal could be in the offing .
Zac Sinclair will contest both the 3000m and 10,000m walks in the men's 19yrs grade
and he has impressive rankings of second and third respectively.
Corrina Paine has a top 10 ranking in the women's 16yrs 400m and a peak effort could see through her to the final
William Simpson is the ninth ranked runner in the men's 16yrs 200m so has a good chance of reaching the final there, something which would be an excellent effort bearing in mind that he will be eligible to contest the same age group next year.He will also compete over 100m.
Cameron Sinclair is a highly promising decathlete and his versatility is shown by the fact he has qualified for thee men's 19yrs 400m and javelin.A finals berth is possible in both events.
Renee Braggins will be part of a straight final in the women's 16yrs 3000m and a top 10 placing is not beyond her..
Josh Greig is in the men's 16yrs discus and shot put and his aim will be to make both finals, something which would give him six throws rather than the original three.
April Campbell, at just 13, is the youngest of the Wairarapa athletes and the fact she has qualified for the women's 16yrs 100m and 200m is something special in itself.Just getting past the heats will be a huge plus for her.;
Wilson, Simpson, Girling-McLean, Schaef, Paine and Cameron Sinclair will also be part of 4 by 100m or 4 by 400m relay teams and medals are very likely to come their way in that discipline as well.