Busy times for top teenage throwers

Athletics

Wairarapa's leading field eventers are in for a busy time over the next few weeks.

Five of a squad being mentored by one of the country's top throws coaches, John Quinn, will be competing at the Sola Power competition in Wellington on Easter Saturday as a final rehearsal for the North Island Secondary Schools Championships in Masterton seven days later. And three of the squad have been invited to compete at the New Zealand hammer throw festival in Hastings early next month.

The Sola Power event is being hosted by a man described as a "throws icon", Samoan Olympian Shanka Sola, who these days runs a training academy in the Hutt Valley.

Representing Wairarapa will be Katie Smith in the shot put and discus, Emma Kruszona in the hammer and discus, Tim Girling-McLean in the shot put and brother-and-sister Tom and Grace Quinn, both in the hammer throw.

John Quinn is anticipating some big performances from his squad, saying the more relaxed atmosphere of a non-championship meet would probably help bring out the best in them.

"There won't be the same amount of nerves and tension. They can just go out there and do their thing without worrying too much about the end results."

Quinn is also optimistic of bold performances from his squad at the North Island Secondary Schools Championships at the Pugh Sports Bowl, where the vastly improved facilities for field eventers has already proved a huge plus from a training viewpoint.

"It's great to have top class amenities for the throwers. Just not having to worry about the safety factor any more is a real bonus."

The Sports Bowl facilities also mean Quinn is looking to increase the number of throwers in his squad, saying any athletes keen to try themselves out at any of the throwing disciplines now had the opportunity to do so.

"You never know how good you might be until you have a go," he said.