Gowler sisters crown success

Jackie and Kerri Gowler had a big night at the Wanganui Sports Awards at the racecourse yesterday evening. PHOTO/FILE

Halcombe farm girl Kerri Gowler has been recognised for her stunning season on the world rowing stage by being named the new Supreme winner at the 2014 Ray White Wanganui Sports Awards last night.

Having claimed the International Junior Sportsperson of the Year award, the 20-year-old was the obvious selection for the top gong, ending the dominance of fellow rower and 2011-13 Supreme winner Rebecca Scown, who still once again received the International Senior Sportsperson of the Year prize.

In a rare occurrence for choosing an overall winner, the judging committee of Philippa Baker-Hogan, Keith Smith, Grant McKinnon and Jared Smith were able to compare Gowler and Scown's success side-by-side, as they spent much of the season training and in competition with each other.

Scown and partner Louise Trappitt had won women's pair gold at the World Rowing Cup 1 regatta in Sydney in March, but had to settle for bronze at the third regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland in July, as the New Zealand Under 23 pair of Gowler and partner Grace Prendergast also raced and claimed the silver.

A week later, Gowler and Prendergast then went on to dominate the World Rowing U23 Championships in Italy, with their blistering 7m 2.89s time being 13 seconds ahead of second place.

It put Rowing NZ in the tough position of whether to send the elite pair or the young guns to be the women's pairs crew at September's senior World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam.

In the end, the incumbents Scown and Trappitt were retained and went on to win the bronze medal - Scown's fifth medal at World Championships to go with her 2012 London Olympics bronze.

Gowler and Prendergast were teamed up with Kelsey Bevan and Kayla Pratt to make a new senior women's four crew and, despite only a few weeks training together, they went on to win the gold medal in the non-Olympic event, as their 6m 14.36s finish beat the United States and Chinese teams by six seconds.

Both Gowler's U23 and senior gold medal wins were record times, although governing body Fisa does not recognise official world records due to contrasting conditions at venues and regattas.

Her Supreme award win reflected a big night for Wanganui rowers and the entire Gowler family. Younger sister Jackie Gowler and Georgia Nugent-O'Leary received the Junior Team of the Year award.

Together, the teenagers won national club and secondary school titles and attended the World Junior Rowing Championships, while Jackie Gowler also went to the Youth Olympics.

The Gowler's official home club, Aramoho Wanganui Rowing, won the Club of the Year award.

Having seen his sprint kayaking proteges and fellow nominees Max Brown, Aiden Nossiter and Toby Brooke represent New Zealand at youth and junior world championship level, Brian Scott got the nod for Coach of the Year.

As a national 50m breastroke champion at junior long- and short-course events, Shannon Schimanski picked up the National Junior Sportsperson prize.

Away from the water, national bowls champions and multiple pairs tournament winners Warrick and Cary Pinker were the Senior Team of the Year.

Taihape's Jackie Tapp, part of the first Central Squash team to win the New Zealand title in 42 years, earned the National Senior Sportsperson crown.

Having placed second in her 50-60 age group at the Masters World Marathon Championships, , inline speed skater Krystine Davies received the Masters Award.

And the winners are
2014 Ray White Wanganui Sports Awards

Stirling Sports National Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Shannon Schimanski (Swimming).

Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store International Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Kerri Gowler (Rowing).

NZCT National Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Jackie Tapp (Squash).

Mitre 10 MEGA International Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Rebecca Scown (Rowing).

Stihl Shop Wanganui Club of the Year: Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club.

Mars Petcare Coach of the Year: Brian Scott (Sprint Kayaking).

Treadwell Gordon Junior Team of the Year: Jackie Gowler & Georgia Nugent-O'Leary (Rowing).

Ali Arc Senior Team of the Year: Warrick Pinker & Cary Pinker (Lawn Bowls).

David Jones Motors Masters Award: Krystine Davies (Inline Speed Skating).

Wanganui Chronicle Supreme Award: Kerri Gowler (Rowing).