5 local rowers in U18 North Island squad

Five Wanganui youngsters have made Under-18 North Island rowing squads to tackle their South Island counterparts on Lake Karapiro over three days starting tomorrow.

Wanganui Collegiate rowers James Clark and Anton Possegger were selected for the U18 North Island squad, while Millie Holden will cox the girls team. Nga Tawa Diocesan School girls Jackie Gowler and Georgia Nugent-O'Leary are also in the U18 North Island girls squad. Edward Phelps from Collegiate missed selection for the U18 North Island boys squad.

Clark dislocated a toe when carrying the boat to the water during training, but a visit to hospital fixed the problem and he was expected to take his place in the boy's crew come race time.

Sammy Murphy from Wanganui High School had been selected to trial for the U18 North Island girls team, but opted to trial instead for the New Zealand Maori secondary schools netball team last week. The 15-year-old, however, failed to make the cut for the 12 named.

Mother Lisa Murphy said her daughter struggled to cope with the bigger and older girls at the netball trial, but she now knew what was required to progress to higher honours next year.

Collegiate girls rowing coach Fiona Symes said it was significant that five Wanganui rowers had made the U18 North Island squads.

"That's a good haul for Wanganui. Most of those selected for the U18 squads, both boys and girls, are actually U17 and are being groomed for possible selection in the national junior team next season. This North/South competition is a good test for them and will give them the experience they need for next season. They will be closely watched because the North/South event is on at the same time as the national junior trials this week," Symes said.

Meanwhile, Wanganui High School's Sara-Jane Back and Collegiate's Jessica Brougham are poised to make the New Zealand junior squad if they impress at Lake Karapiro.