Fourteen-year-old Zoe Hobbs was first in the 100m and 200m sprints and in the long jump, and was also awarded the trophy for the athlete with the most points in 14-year-old girls at the North Island interprovincials held in Palmerston North.
This follows a long list of achievements for the sport all-rounder: she remains unbeaten at the Colgate Games (for 7- to 14-year-olds) in the 100m, 200m and long jump; was chosen for the Taranaki Country Basketball team; in Year 7 and 8 played netball for the Taranaki development team, and last year giving touch ago, was selected
for the U15 Taranaki touch team and the Central touch team. She is the New Zealand secondary schools junior
champion for the 200m and the triple jump.
Her personal best times in the 100m is 12.32 seconds, run at the Sylvia Potts open race against women from all age groups where she took a second place; the 200m in 25.32 seconds, at the Capital Classic, also an open event where sheplaced third; and in the long jump, 5.61m, ensuring her a first place at last month's Colgate Games.
Though keeping her eyes on one day competing in the Commonwealth Games and maybe the Olympics, the New Plymouth Girls' student says what keeps her working so hard at it, is because she enjoys it. The hard part is
finding time to spend with her friends as she always has sport on weekends, she says.
She is very modest about her achievements, leaving it more to mum Dorothy to elaborate on the highlights, but says beating her own best times and winning placings is what motivates her.
``She loves athletics, but also her team sport. It has been suggested she only concentrate on athletics, but as
long as she also wants to do team sport, we will support her,'' says Dorothy.
The family lives in Stratford, but Zoe ran for the Eltham Athletic Club. ``They were very supportive of Zoe,'' says dad
Grant.
``It is a very good club.''
The Eltham Athletics Club last week made a call on the community to join as their decreased membership is threatening the club's survival. A few have answered, but more are needed. The club trains every Thursday at Taumata Park from 6pm. For more information, phone Stacey Wilson at (06) 764 8846.
Hobbs jumping to the top
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