College Sports: Epsom rule the waves in schools waterpolo

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

For the third time running, Epsom have won the New Zealand secondary schools championship.

The sport's three trophies grace Epsom's cabinet again this year: the team also scooped the Auckland and North Island championships for the third time in a row.

In that time, under the guidance of former New Zealand men's team vice-captain Quentin Smith, the team have never been defeated.

Most of the team compete at club level, giving the girls a regular diet of the sport, training at least three times a week.

The secret to the school's success is simple, according to coach Smith: they are better than all the others, and they want to win.

"The girls are committed. They always turn up and they are competitive," he said.

But it's the club environment that has helped to nurture the talent. Many come from the under-14 Marist club side, members of which are schooled at either Epsom or Avondale College, who were third at nationals.

A keen swimmer as a youngster, Smith trained with Olympic coach Duncan Laing in Dunedin before giving waterpolo a go.

He moved to Auckland to finish his college years at Sacred Heart and during that time helped the school to win the boys' title.

However, Epsom's winning record is in jeopardy: the team will lose their senior players next year.

But the junior members were given pool time at the national championships and have gained valuable experience.

Epsom defeated home side Sacred Heart 4-0 in the final, with the tournament's most valuable player, Julie Berry, scoring twice and Nicola Harlick and Katie Dallimore netting one each.

Avondale beat Carmel College 5-4 in the playoff for third place.

NETBALL: Auckland Girls Grammar began their premier grade campaign in style on Saturday, blitzing promoted King's College 47-10.

Mt Roskill had the closest match of the section, narrowly defeating Epsom 32-29.

Baradene were too strong for a below-strength McAuley team, hammering them 49-6, while Onehunga High downed Diocesan, 33-18.

The West Auckland competition starts on Saturday, but Avondale College will have to make do without the skills of Rachel Rasmussen.

One of the Coca-Cola Cup's rising stars, Rasmussen is committed to her Diamonds side for at least two more national league games.

She will also be away from the college team if selected for the under-21 World Cup squad to play in Wales later in the year.

MULTISPORT: Rangitoto College's Terenzo Bozzone has shown he is a force for the future by winning the junior boys' championship by almost four minutes.

Bozzone has continued to dominate multisport events.

He won the intermediate boys' Auckland secondary schools triathlon title in March, again convincingly.

The kayak, cycle and run course at Te Atatu on Sunday drew some real competition, especially in the senior boys grade.

Clarke Ellis (Auckland Grammar) was first by just 35s, ahead of schoolmate James Elvery. Greg Weatherall, of Owera College, was a further 30s back.

ROWING: Jonathon Wright and Garth Tilyard have been selected for the New Zealand rowing eight to compete at the world championships in August.

The talented pair from South Auckland's Tuakau College will be based at Christchurch Boys High from early June to train with the rest of the team before travelling to the Croatian capital, Zagreb, for the competition.

* Coming up in college sport:

Tomorrow: Auckland, North Harbour girls' hockey

Friday: premier basketball, North Harbour grades 3 and 4 girls' hockey, Auckland squash, North Harbour table tennis.

Saturday: Auckland netball, North Harbour netball grading, West Auckland netball, Auckland, Counties Manukau, North harbour rugby, Auckland soccer.

Sunday: cycling, sport climbing

Monday: North Harbour boys' hockey, girls' rugby, Auckland junior squash.