Wānaka athletes and a senior coach earned national titles at the 2023 Jennian Homes Athletics New Zealand Track and Field Championships held in Wellington last weekend (March 2-5).

Aspiring Athletes Club (AAC) triple jumper Ryan Young, sprinters Phoebe Laker and Jackson Rogers, and middle distance runner Hannah Prosser each won gold in New Zealand’s top athletics competition.

Matching their success was AAC senior coach Michael Beable who was awarded the Arthur Eustace Award for Coaching in 2022.

Last season Ryan had to settle for the silver medal in the U20 triple jump, but gold this season was assured when he leaped 13.70m in the fifth round beating the defending champion by 16cm.

“Gaining the gold medal was a tremendous result for Ryan, and a great reward for his perseverance over the last four to five years,” Michael said 

He said Ryan’s understanding of this technical event, coupled with his dedication and mature approach, will ensure his continued national ranking in this discipline. 

Mount Aspiring College student Phoebe Laker continued her extraordinary success in the women’s U16 400m sprints winning not only her heat but running again in the final that same day to claim victory in under a minute (58.18s).

As she only turned 14-years-old last month, running two 400m races in one day was “hard going” and an amazing achievement for someone so young, Michael said.

“She dominated the race from the gun, holding off a strong challenge from Auckland’s Esme Reid,” he said.

“She’s a remarkable talent, with maturity and competitive attitude beyond her years, and still has another year to go in this Under 16 grade.”

Teenage sprinter Phoebe Laker takes centre stage on the podium after winning the women’s U16 400m. 

Senior sprinter Jackson Rodgers claimed two golds as a member of Otago’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams which dominated the provincial team relays. The 20-year-old also performed well in the individual 200m, finishing a creditable sixth place in the final.

In the women’s U20 events Hannah Prosser won the 5,000m in 16min 51.76s and fellow AAC member Niamh Townsend qualified for both the 100m and 200m finals.

Michael said Niamh “did particularly well” to be a finalist in both sprint races, especially as this was her first national championship. At 17-years-old she still has another year in this same grade.  

In a fitting climax to the successful weekend Michael was awarded the Arthur Eustace Award for Coaching for 2022 in recognition of his outstanding achievements as an athletics coach at national and international level.

Michael’s career began in 1974 and has spanned 37 years, and the athletes he has coached have won more than 115 national championship and NZ secondary school titles.

“I feel very honoured but also very humbled by this recognition,” he said, adding he could not have gone on this coaching journey without the support of his wife Barbara and their children.

AAC senior coach Michael Beable (centre) receives a top New Zealand coaching award.

Michael was nominated by the Aspiring Athletes Committee and club president Kirsten Wyatt said she was delighted Michael had received this recognition as he continues to do so much for the club and the sport of athletics.

“We are incredibly lucky to have him living in Wānaka,” she said.  

PHOTOS: Supplied