College sports: Big numbers for age groups champs

A logistical nightmare for the Auckland and New Zealand swimming associations, the New Zealand age groups championships, starts on Sunday at the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson.

During the five-day championships, 659 swimmers supervised by 109 coaches and 111 managers, will take part in 176 events.

Competitors will be racing in 13 years old and under, 14, 15, 16 and 17/18 years events.

Swimming New Zealand director of coaching Clive Rushton says the championships are a key event in the development of young talent and some top prospects atr taking part.

"It's a big organisational exercise," says Rushton. "There is some talent around and every top swimmer from Danyon Loader to Dean Kent has come through here in the past."

Two swimmers to watch are EGGS student Melissa Ingram, the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific representative who won the Australian youth backstroke title, and South Africa-born Corney Swanepoel, who could be star of the meet.

The Rangitoto College student broke Anthony Mosse's butterfly record at the Australian youth championships, but the new record did not stand as Swanepoel was still days outside becoming a New Zealand citizen.

The Auckland secondary schools zonal competitions started yesterday and will continue all week. Today the swimming is at the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson.

Tomorrow the Counties region holds its competition at the Massey pool, in Papakura, and on Friday the North Harbour champs will be held at the Millennium complex.

TENNIS

A strong New Zealand team has been selected for the International Club fixture to be held at White City in Sydney tomorrow, Friday and Saturday.

Competing against teams from Australia, China and Japan the 16 and under event is to help foster tennis growth and competition.

The boys side, GD Jones and Rade Radinovich, is expected to do well.

Jones, 16 is at Kings College and was a training partner at the Davis Cup tie in Hamilton earlier this month. Jones has been taking part in the US$10,000 Futures event in Blenheim, and will also play at the Christchurch and North Harbour events. He has a ITF junior singles ranking of 37.

Radinovich, 16 attends Auckland Grammar and plays for the Waiata club.

Nicole Douglas who played No 1 for Eastern in the Nunnely Casket senior inter-districts champs, will be the No 1 girl. Shona Lee, from Auckland, is the other girls player.

Douglas 17, of Western Heights in Rotorua, who plays Caro Bowl interclub in Auckland for Bucklands Beach, lost only one match out of five for Eastern. Lee, 14, of Rosehill College, plays for the Pompallier club.

TRIATHLON

Close to 150 competitors from 26 schools took part in the Tag Team Triathlon held at Manly Beach at Whangaparaoa.

Auckland Boys Grammar, Rangitoto and Diocesan schools dominated all of the categories and took in good times considering the difficult weather conditions.

The senior boys team title was won by Auckland Grammar A in 49m 42s, just under 2m ahead of St Kentigerns, with Auckland Grammar B in third place.

The senior girls also raced over the 600m swim course, 20km ride and 5km run, with Diocesan finishing just 23s ahead of Rangitoto in a time of 59m 28s. Diocesan also had a team in third place.

The mixed senior title was won by Rangitoto who were 59s faster than Pakuranga.

The junior girls was won by Dio. with the boys title won by Auckland Grammar A won the boys title, and Rangitoto won the mixed event title.

ATHLETICS

Waikato schools have a hectic programme as they count down to the Six Zone championships next week and the Waikato/Bay of Plenty championships at Porritt Stadium on March 16.

Bay of Plenty/Waikatonte Waikato/Bay of Plenty coaching coordinator and selector Don Willoughby says all 65 secondary schools in the area have held or are holding their athletics days this week in preparation for the Six Zone champs, which will take place from Tuesday until Thursday at various venues.

The region is made up of King Country, Bay of Plenty 1, Mid Island (Taupo, Putaruru, Tokoroa and half of Rotorua), Thames Valley, Hamilton City Central Zone 1 and Hamilton City Central Zone 2.

Willoughby said there are numerous athletes who will excel at national level, including Monique Williams from Forest View High School in Tokoroa. She is the current 400m champ.

Jarred Payne is also another top prospect. The Hamilton Boys student is highly regarded in the 200m and 400m.

Daniel Moses, from Bethlehem College on the outskirts of Tauranga, was right up with the best in the 800m and 1500m, Willoughby added.

Tauranga Girls are cited as having good coaching under Rosemary Wright while Morag McKenzie at Western Heights is a former top athlete who has some good athletes under her tutorage.

The Six Zone championships will be held at various venues in the region from next Tuesday until Thursday.

The six zones are made up from the King Country, Bay of Plenty 1, Mid Island (Taupo, Putaruru, Tokoroa and half of Rotorua), Thames Valley, Hamilton City Central Zone 1 and Hamilton City Central Zone 2.