Kodi Harman bolts into NZ team after double win

His head may currently be in the clouds but Papamoa teenager Kodi Harman has already got his feet working extra hard on terra firma.
The 16-year-old Mount College surf lifesaver capped a huge week when he was named in the New Zealand squad to prepare for next year's world championships.
His elevation came after a stunning performance at the national championships in Mount Maunganui, where he became the youngest winner of the open men's beach sprint.
"I'm definitely still on a big high buzz," Harman said. "I'm a little bit overwhelmed and I don't really know what to think or feel but I do know I'm definitely going to be working hard for the next 18 months and there's no way I'm backing down from that. This winter is going to be a lot harder for me and I'm going to be a lot more focused and concentrating. I should come out even better next season hopefully."
Harman beat some of the biggest names in beach sprinting in Saturday's final, including previous champions Morgan Foster and Paul Cracroft-Wilson.
Ironically, it was Foster's advice that enabled him to win the under-19 beach flags title as well, when he took down Mount Maunganui's Jamie Banhidi in the final.
"My flags were really bad at the start of the season but I went to training camp with Morgan and he gave me a couple of little technical things to work on with my starts. It just clicked and ever since it's been working really well. That was obviously all I needed."
He also paid credit to his athletics training partner and champion New Zealand schoolboy sprinter Joseph Millar, who roped Harman into the athletics scene after a meet last year.
Harman wasn't the only local bolter in the New Zealand squad. Mount sprinter Arna Wright also made it after a brilliant nationals campaign, where she medalled in every event she entered, including a win in the board rescue after seven years of trying with teammate Johanna O'Connor.
Wright's versatility means she can cover the sprints, flags or board.
Former Tauranga ironman Mike Janes has also made it, as has newly crowned ironman champion Chris Moors (Red Beach).
Meanwhile, Queensland-based ironwoman champion Aimee Berridge has made the national development squad, along with Mount teammate Katrina Madill.
Papamoa's 16-year-old star Natalie Peat also keeps her place, joined by Omanu's Dannielle O'Connor and Max Beattie.
Worlds squad:
Glenn Anderson (NPOB), Madison Boon (Mairangi Bay), Nikki Cox (Westshore), Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy), Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (NPOB), Dylan Dunlop-Barrett (NPOB), Kodi Harman (Papamoa), Teneale Hatton (Orewa), Chanel Hickman (South Brighton), Natasha Hind (Lyall Bay), Mike Janes (Midway), Steven Kent (Titahi Bay), Samantha Lee (Lyall Bay), Andy McMillan (St Clair), Daniel Moodie (Westshore), Chris Moors (Red Beach), Kevin Morrison (Mairangi Bay), Arna Wright (Mount Maunganui).
Development squad:
Hamish Beattie (Westshore), Max Beattie (Omanu), Aimee Berridge (Mount Maunganui), Rachel Clarke (Orewa), Chris Dawson (Midway), Dylan French (Red Beach), Benjamin Gillies (Westshore), Toby Harris (Wainui), Emily Hodges (Piha), Katrina Madill (Mt Maunganui), Danielle McKenzie (Mairangi Bay), Daniel Nelson (East End), Dannielle O'Connor (Omanu), Natalie Peat (Papamoa), Caitlin Ryan (Red Beach), Cory Taylor (Midway), Kirsty Wannan (Piha).