College sport: Fun the key in crack at seeded player

St Kentigern student Marcus Daniell is set to find out what being a professional tennis player is all about today when he faces World No 296 Melvyn Op der Heijde of the Netherlands.

The Year 11 15-year-old has qualified for the US$15,000 ($20,578) men's tennis Futures at North Harbour.

He will play the tournament second seed in the first round at 10am and isn't expecting too much other than to enjoy himself, although his initial reaction to facing a seed was, "Wicked, man".

"I'm just gonna have fun and try and give him a decent hit. Hopefully I'll get a couple of games."

Daniell moved to Auckland from Masterton last month for his tennis and is under the guidance of former Davis Cup player James Greenhalgh and former New Zealand coach Peter Langsford. The pair are part of a sports academy at St Kentigern.

"I hit so many balls at St Kent's. It's got to be good for me," Daniell says. Langsford echoes those comments.

"He's quite a smart guy and is focused. He'll be hitting a lot more balls up here now. Playing one of the seeds in the Futures will be good for him."

Daniell made the main draw by beating his peer, Kyle August from Westlake Boys, in the first round of qualifying, then defeated Swede Goran Gerdin to make the main draw.

He is top of the 16s computer points list in New Zealand and would love to be a professional like his idol, Roger Federer.

For now, he's happy to be on the court among those who are internationally ranked around the 300 mark and to get his first taste of professional tennis.

Athletics

Shafat Salad has continued his phenomenal results in secondary schools athletics by claiming the John L. Davies Memorial Trophy in its inaugural year, winning the men's 1500m title at the Waikato Bay of Plenty athletics champs.

Salad, 18, who came to New Zealand from Somalia with his family in 2001, led from start to finish, kicking away on the final lap to cross the line ahead of the defending champion, Tauranga's Iain McDonald, and older brother Ahmed Salad to win in 3m 56.95s.

Salad also won the 2000m steeplechase in 6m 36.88s and the 800m in 1m 54.22s. He will compete at the John Walker Night of Miles, an event he won last year, tonight in Auckland.

Indoor rowing

King's Year 13 student Rebecca Ryall gave up a potential medal finish at the recent Head of the Harbour regatta to take part in the world indoor rowing champs in Boston.

The gamble paid off for Ryall, who finished fourth in 7m 14s against 172 competitors.

* Results

VOLLEYBALL

AUCKLAND PREMIER LEAGUE

Senior boys: Rangitoto College bt Wesley 3-0, Kelston Boys bt Aorere 3-2, Tangaroa bt Wesley 3-0, Rangitoto bt Tangaroa 3-2, Aorere College bt Manurewa 3-0, Westlake Boys bt Hillary 3-2, Auckland Grammar bt Hillary 3-0, Westlake bt Auckland Grammar 3-0.

WATERPOLO

AUCKLAND PREMIER

Boys: Auckland Grammar (A1) 8 Auckland Grammar(A2) 2, Rangitoto (A) 6 Sacred Heart 6, St Kentigern 6 Westlake 5, Westlake (A1) 16 Northcote 3, Rosmini 14 Rangitoto (B) 2, Sacred Heart 6 Rosmini 4, Auckland Grammar (A1) 19 Westlake (A2) 0, Westlake (A1) 14 Auckland Grammar (A2) 2, St Kentigern 9 Northcote 5, Rangitoto (A)14 Rangitoto (B) 1.

Girls: Massey High 4 Carmel 2, St Cuthberts 5 Epsom Girls Grammar 3, Westlake Red 6 Avondale 4, Rangitoto 8 Westlake Green 1, Westlake Red 6 St Cuthberts 3, Diocesan 13 Carmel 0, Diocesan 13 Westlake Green 4, Epsom 2 Avondale 1.

* This week:

Today, Equestrian - Auckland secondary regional trials, Whangaparaoa. Swimming - central zone, Epsom Girls Grammar School.

Thursday, Swimming - Counties Manukau zone champs, Jubilee Pool, Pukekohe.

Friday, Cricket - New Zealand secondary schoolgirls qualifying tournament. .

Saturday, Cricket - A1 first XI competition, various venues.

Monday, Premier Waterpolo - various venues.