Top achievers at Whanganui High School awards adept in multiple sports

Girl sport dux Kerwyn Morgan and Boys sport dux Jordan Cohen flank Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement winner Rebecca Baker at the Whanganui High School Sports Awards last week.

The top achievers at the annual Whanganui High School Sports Awards last week were adept in multiple sporting codes.

Mr Smellie's Cup for Girls Sport Dux Ludorum went Kerwyn Morgan, while the Mrs Robinson's Cup for Boys Sport Dux Ludorum was won by Jordan Cohen and the coveted Principals Cup for the Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement was claimed by Rebecca Baker.

As an all-round sportswoman, Morgan has represented WHS in many sports at a high level. She played in the WHS A1 Netball team, girls basketball team, girls touch team and was in the waka ama squad. Morgan also gave back to her sports by coaching junior netball and basketball teams and volunteered to referee when asked. This year she has also had a senior leadership role as head of sport at WHS.

Boys dux Cohen is a talented sportsman who has represented WHS at a high level. His main sport has been hockey throughout his time at WHS. He has featured prominently in the Central under-18 side for several seasons now and was also named in the New Zealand under-18 men's development camp in December.

His athleticism has allowed him to excel in athletics in 100m sprints, be part of the mixed touch team and he enjoys playing basketball with his friends. Cohen also had a senior leadership role as head of sport and was passionate about getting more students involved in sport at WHS.

Baker has had an outstanding year in sport at WHS and was fully deserving of her Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement award.

Baker is a multi-talented sportswoman, who is committed at being the best she can. She is an inspiration to younger students with her dedication to her training, teams and school commitments.

Baker's successes this year include NZ Secondary School Athletics Junior Girls 1500m title, fourth place at NZ Secondary School Senior Girls Cross Country, which gave her selection into the NZSS team to run in Australia in August where she came fourth in the under-18 girls' grade. Baker was also part of the NZ team that won gold in the six-to-score and the NZ relay team that also won gold.

Baker also plays hockey for WHS and has been part of the Central under-18 team that won back-to-back national titles for 2017-2018.

This year Baker has been selected in the NZ U18 Hockey Squad for a camp in December.
Other trophies went to:
Bradley Martin Memorial Sportsmanship Trophy — Jacob Gedye — Rugby

Charlotte Dickson Cup for Service to Sport — Kaveh Safaei Torogh — Basketball

Sloan/Kauika Trophy for Leadership in Sport — Kerwyn Morgan — Netball, Basketball, Waka Ama

Whanganui High School — Team Award — 1st XI Boys Hockey Team

On the night there were award winners for 25 sports along with the prestigious award winners, with 350 people attending the function.

Nine athletes gained their Blue Award which recognises outstanding sporting achievements in a sport at a high level. They were:

Rebecca Baker (NZSS Cross Country Team, U18 Hockey National Title)
Jimi Blinkhorne (NZ Men's Roller Hockey Team)
Rebecca Benge (NZ Team — World Mounted Games Equestrian)
Sophie Brooke (NZ Title — K1 U18 Canoeing)
Jack Clifton (Oceania Title K4 U18 Canoeing)
Liam Lace (Oceania Title K4 U18 Canoeing)
Bradley McDowell (NZ Title — Shooting)
Renee Teers (NZ Team — Speed Skating)
Lucas Thompson (NZ U18 Team — Canoeing)