Winners of major categories in the Wanganui Secondary Schools Sports Awards virtually selected themselves with standout individual and team performances through the year.
During the official ceremony hosted by Wanganui Collegiate School yesterday, runner Geordie Beamish claimed the Senior Sportsman of the Year award after dominating middle distance and cross country events at national level and across the Tasman, while rower Jackie Gowler won Senior Sportswoman, after catching the eye of national selectors with stellar performances on the world stage.
Wanganui Collegiate Year 13 student Beamish won every race he entered at regional level from 800m to the 2000m steeplechase and won the prestigious John Walker Junior Mile in outstanding time.
Beamish won the 1500m and the 3000m at the North Island Secondary Schools competition, setting a new Collegiate record in the longer trip. He stepped out in the New Zealand Secondary Schools championship, winning the 3000m and the cross country to gain selection into the national cross country and track teams.
At the National Athletics Championship, Beamish finished second in the U20 Junior Men 1500m, while at the Australian cross country he finished third in the U20 Junior Men when only 17. He won the Australian Secondary Schools title in the same race.