Powerful finish for Northland athletes

28 Mar, 2022

STEVE MACMILLAN

As the athletics season comes to a close, Junior Athletics Whangarei has celebrated with its annual Ribbon Day where a number of spectacular ‘season best’ results were recorded.

More than 50 youngsters from throughout Northland took part and there were some impressive performances from all age-groups – along with the Masters.

Athletes from Wellsford to the Far North took part in multiple events with ribbons handed out to the winners.

There were many stand-out performances, among them 9-year-old Blake Dickens who threw the biggest discuss of any age-group on the day – 20.94m. He also excelled in other disciplines with first placings in 100m, 200m, shot put and a second in high jump.

Leigha and Spencer Dinsdale from the Wellsford Athletics Club put in a number of good performances. Leigha finished with four second placings in shot put, discus, 800m and the mile, while Spencer won the eight year long jump with a 3.1m leap and also recording wins in shot put and high jump.

Te Konehu Puriri, aged seven, showed plenty of promise with wins in shot put (5.41m), discus (9.13m), long jump (3m), 60m sprint (10.68 sec), 100m (18.16 sec) and 200 (38.43 sec).

Leo Fenney, 11, left it all on the track by recording the best long jump of any age group on the day (4.37m), and the fastest 800m (2.46 sec) and Mile (5.54 sec), along with placing first in 100m and 200m.

The rivalry between Mala Sulvako-Thomas, Addison Waihi and Grace Dumbleton on the track provided plenty of entertainment. Grace took out the 100m and 200m with Mala second and Addison third. Grace also won the shot put, with Addison just behind and Mala in third. Addison won the long jump, Georgia Pearks finished second and Mala third.

In contrast to our athletes of the future, the Masters were well involved with Colin MacLeod winning the mile in a time of 8m 14s, ahead of Rob Griffen in second, Tony Langton in third, Sein vander Veeken in fourth, Liz Griffin in fifth and Oringa Barach rounding out the field with an impressive performance.

The efforts of all volunteers and coaches helped make the day a success. A full list of results and more action shots from the day can be seen at facebook.com/JuniorAthleticsWhangarei

William Wienand, 12, leaps into first place with a jump of 3.98m. PHOTO/SUPPLIED