Tauranga students to be awarded a university Blue

An elite group of former Tauranga secondary school students is among 61 University of Waikato students who will be recognised in October for their sporting and musical achievements this year with a University of Waikato Blue.

Adam Ling (Blue for rowing), Lucy Olphert (equestrian), Luke Coxhead (hockey), Mariah Ririnui (athletics), Tony Goodin (cricket), Zoe Stevenson (rowing), June Dams (music - voice), Charlotte Ketel (music - cello) and Amelia Taylor (music - violin) will all receive the eminent award.

The Blue is one of the University of Waikato's strongest traditions, dating back to 1971.

Awards will also be given to the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Maori Person of the Year, Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year, and Creative and Performing Art Group of the Year.

There will also be awards recognising long service, service of the year, club, sports team and sports coach of the year.

For Ririnui, the Blue is the third consecutive award bestowed on the former Tauranga Girls' College student who is also a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship holder.

The New Zealand 100m sprint and long jump champion is thrilled to have been awarded a Blue in each of her three years studying for a Bachelor of Communication Studies at the University of Waikato.

"It is just really nice to be recognised by other people and organisations rather than getting a medal for winning a race," Ririnui said.

"It shows institutions are also proud of you and it is nice to be rewarded. It is really cool to be recognised and when I first started university it was my goal to win a Blue each year so I am really, really stoked to have achieved that."

Ririnui is deciding what she will do next year but is likely to go back to university to do honours, aided by her Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship that covers course fees. And she also has a major sporting goal:

"The Commonwealth Games are a huge priority and my big goal. Hopefully I will also travel to Europe next year to get some experience and building up to the Commonwealth Games."The University of Waikato Blues will awarded at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts from 6.30pm on October 4. Arts patron and sponsor Sir James Wallace, who has artworks on display in the venue, will be attending the evening.