An impressive haul of 20 individual medals, numerous personal best performances (PBs) and three new regional sprint records highlighted the success of young Wānaka athletes at the annual Athletics Otago inter-club championships recently (March 2-3).

Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Laker is the New Zealand women’s U16 400m national champ and she showed her class in Dunedin, literally running away from the field to win her age group 400m race by almost 10 seconds at the Caledonian grounds. 

In running a new PB of 57.40s, she not only bettered her previous Otago Clubs’ record (set last year) for her age group but she also eclipsed her previous Otago records set for women aged 16 and 17. 

Aspiring Athletes Club (AAC) coach Michael Beable said Phoebe’s achievement was all the more extraordinary as this was her first competition since last spring when she took 18 weeks off training to recover from injury.

“She ran exceptionally well,” Michael said. 

Phoebe Laker

“Her time of 57.40s was the fastest 400m of the day by any woman.” 

In addition to her 400m success, the Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) student also won gold and set new PBs in both the women’s U16 100m (12.81s) and 200m (25.92s).

Michael said “a slightly smaller contingent” of AAC members “did the club proud” bringing home 10 golds, seven silvers and three bronze medals.

Fellow sprinter Niamh Townsend ran 26.42s in the women’s U20 200m, taking first place and setting a new PB, as well as taking second place in her 100m. 

Also racing in the women’s U20 group, middle distance athlete Billie Crowe (18) won the 800m (2:27.64) and was second in the 1500m.

Meanwhile, in the senior women’s events, Georgie Bruce (20) completed a busy afternoon with gold in 100m (13.60s); silver in both the 200m and 400m; and bronze in the discus throw. 

Of the men, the current NZ titleholder in men’s U20 Triple Jump Ryan Young won the senior men’s Triple Jump (13.56m) off a short run-up and Jackson Rogers (21) placed second in the 200m and fourth in the 100m.

In the men’s U20 events, MAC athletes Cody Armstrong (17) and training partner Matthew Botting both competed strongly; Cody won the 400m (51.68s) and was placed second in both the 100m and 200m, while Matthew was third behind Cody in the 200m; fourth in the 100m; and second in the Triple Jump.

Fellow MAC student Ryan Enoka (16) was the sole competitor in the men’s U18 Shot Put and Discus events, winning with throws of 10.83m and 36.16m respectively; he also ran seventh in the 100m.

Several of the club members will be representing Otago at the upcoming New Zealand national track and field championships.

Michael said the Dunedin performances will give the athletes a confidence boost for the nationals in Wellington on March 14-17.

PHOTO: Supplied