Wrestlers turn it on

A SMALL Featherston contingent made their presence felt in a big way at the North Island age group wrestling championships in Hawera over the weekend, returning home with two gold and one silver medals.
Competing under the guidance of their coach, former Australasian age group champion Jeremy Sargent, it was a huge effort from the four-strong team, considering the size of their club when compared to those in the bigger centres, and their relative isolation from top level competition.
And, what's more, Featherston also made an impact in the refereeing ranks with Wayne Thurston and Mark Lovett, officiating in that capacity.
National secondary schools champion Adam Saunders won gold for Featherston in the under 58kg division for boys aged 16yrs and under and has been selected to represent New Zealand in the Down Under secondary school tournament to be held in Australia later this year.
Also winning gold was Teina Hullena who contested the under 69kg weight division and went through the tourney undefeated.
Cory Wilkinson at 11yrs might have one of the younger competitors in the 10-13yrs under 35kg division, but he still managed to pick up the silver medal, while Liam Hawke was very competitive in placing fifth in the under 63kg class in what was his first appearance at an event of this magnitude.
Intentions are for the Featherston club to attend two more major tournaments this year, the national club championships in Hamilton in August and the national age group championships in Dunedin in September.