Gold, silver and bronze: Midway lifesavers bring back plenty of each

MEDAL HAUL: Midway Surf Lifesaving member Angus Blair in the pool. Blair had a successful campaign in Auckland taking home two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. File picture

Midway Surf Life Saving Club competitors came home with three gold, seven silver and five bronze medals from the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships in Auckland at the weekend.

Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service took out the Paul Kent Trophy as overall winners of the championships, on 179 points, followed by Auckland clubs Red Beach (142) and Orewa (127).

Dawson Building Midway, with only nine competitors, finished a creditable ninth.

“We had a great weekend,” Midway head coach Jack Gavin said.

“The kids were very solid across the weekend and they had a few good learnings for next year. Overall, I'm very happy and proud of them.

“Every athlete nailed personal bests over the weekend, which is all any coach could ask for.”

Gavin said winning gold in the under-19 mixed medley relay was a highlight.

“The team raced exceptionally well, nailed all their skills and beat some very good teams from the Mount and Auckland region.

“Taylor Newman picked up a silver medal, even though he was sick all week in the lead-up. His was a determined effort.

“Angus Blair showed his strength, nearly medalling in every individual event.

“Tyron Evans showed huge improvement and plenty of potential for the future, snagging two individual medals,” Gavin said.

“We won two open men's relay medals with three young guys and a retired coach (me) going up against much more experienced teams, which was pleasing.

“Our young u17 women showed plenty of fight over the weekend.

“We picked up a couple of medals in the u15 age group and there were lots of close calls and, frustratingly, five fourth places on the second day of racing.”

Gavin made special mention of Emily Petro, who placed fourth in the 100-metre manikin-carry.

“That was a crazy effort, considering the manikin weighs about eight kilograms more than she does.

“A huge thanks to the athletes' parents for their support and help over the season, and to my super manager Anelia Evans for making my first pool champs season at the helm a success.

“We're all looking forward to getting in the new Kiwa pool next season and being able to practise at the correct racing depth, and inside out of the cold. Bring it on.”

SLSNZ event manager Mark Inglis said it was awesome to get the event under way with the juniors.

“It's the first time clubs have been able to come together on a national scale for quite a while so it was great to see lots of smiles and reconnect with friends, and have some great racing.”

MIDWAY'S RESULTS

Taylor Newman: silver in 50m rescue medley brick.

Ella Sutton: silver in 100m manikin carry with fins.

Rio Sasamoto: bronze in 200m with obstacles.

Tyron Evans: bronze in 100m manikin tow, silver in 50m manikin carry.

Angus Blair: gold in 200m with obstacles, gold in 200m

super lifesaver, silver in 100m manikin

tow, silver in 100m rescue medley, bronze

in 100m manikin carry, bronze in 50m manikin carry.

Relays

Open male 4 x 50m medley relay

Angus Blair, Jack Gavin, Fin Cameron, Tyron Evans: silver.

U17 female 4 x 50m medley relay

Sophie Petro, Petiata Bowden, Ella Sutton, Rio Sasamoto: silver.

Open male 4 x 50m obstacle relay

Jack Gavin, Angus Blair, Fin Cameron, Tyron Evans: bronze.

U19 4 x 50m pool lifesaver relay

Angus Blair, Sophie Petro, Petiata Bowden, Tyron Evans: gold.