Two gold medal winning performances at the national secondary schools championships late this year were very probably the catalysts to Wairarapa College pupil Molly Creagh being selected to represent New Zealand at the Oceania track and field championships in Sydney from March 11 to 14. Creagh, 15, will contest two eventsin the women's 17yrs section, the 400m and the 4 by 400m relay, Her form at the secondary school nationals at Aorangi Park in Timaru in mid-December stamped Creagh as a youngster of enormous potential In the junior girls 400m she won her heat, semi-final and final, the latter in a personal best time of 58.52secs. Then she was part of a Wairarapa College junior girls 4 by 100m relay team, also comprising April Campbell, Stevie Paine and Laura McKenna, which broke a national record which had stood since 1988 with their winning time of 50.16secs in the heats, and went on to win the final in a slightly slower but still impressive 50.54secs. Creagh's coach Mark Harris admits to being a "little surprised" at her Oceania championship selection because of her age but he has no doubts whatsoever she will rise to the challenge against older and more experienced opposition, a confidence based on a work ethic which has Harris ranking Creagh as one of the most diligent trainers he has under his care. "She doesn't know the meaning of quit, she gives everything she has got in training as well as competition," he said. "She will run until she drops,they don't come any more determined than her". Meanwhile several Wairarapa athletes competed with distinction at the Sylvia Potts Classic in Wanganui in Friday night.Times and distances were:- 100m: April Campbell 12.89secs, Laura McKenna 12.91secs, Michael Wilson 11.14secs, William Simpson 11.43secs (pb), Bevan Brown 13..04secs. 200m: Laura McKenna 26.26secs, April Campbell 27.06secs.Michael Wilson 22.34secs, William Simpson 22.83secs, Bevan Brown 26.04secs. 800m:Stevie Paine 2.31.79, Tom Quinn 3.00.12, Kurtis Paine 3.09.01. Pole vault: Cameron Sinclair 2.70m. Shot put: Courtnay Fafeita 9.70m, Maria Taylor 7.45m, Josh Greig 13.13m, Alex Fafeita 11.19m, Tim Girling-McLean 11.59m. Discus: Courtnay Fafeita 38.46m, Maria Taylor 28.90m, Alex Fafeita 45.14m, Josh Greig 36.46m, Tim Girling-McLean 32.80m.
