Wairarapa athletes should win a host of medals at the national track and field championships in Dunedin this weekend.
The number of local runners and field athletes wearing the Wellington regional colours will total well into double figures and they are expected to be a dominant force, especially in the 16years and 19 years sections.
All four of the Wellington team in the girls 16yrs 4x100m relay are expected to come from Wairarapa. Laura McKenna, Stevie Paine, Molly Creagh, Sian Chapman and Mikayla Pearson are all contending for selection there. Whatever combination is used will be a powerful medal contender.
McKenna should also star over her pet distances of 100m and 200m while Paine will be one of the favourites for gold over 800m.
The combination of Tom Quinn and Joel Farley seems sure to guarantee Wairarapa prominence in the boys 16yrs 800m. The Fafeitas, Australian junior hammer throw champion Alex and his sister Courtenay, plus Tim Girling-McLean, Jerry Peseta, Katie Smith and Maria Taylor are likely to shine in the field events.
One of the highlights of the first day of the Wellington junior track and field championships at Newtown Park last weekend was the Masterton 4x100m relay team in the 14yrs boy grade. Raymond Andrews-Paul, Edward Hewitt, Zane Hancox and Dhruv Raman clocked a slick 47secs in winning by a wide margin.
Among other Wairarapa athletes to star were Alison Andrews-Paul, Bevan Brown and Tessa Laven.
