Wakatipu High rowing crews again blew 100-plus schools out of the water with their performances at last week’s prestigious Maadi Cup regatta on Twizel’s Lake Ruataniwha.
For the third year running, they claimed the ‘President’s Scull’, tying for first with Christchurch’s Cashmere High, whose coach Matt Allen previously coached local crews.
In perfect conditions, after a seriously weather-affected season, Wakatipu High crews secured two golds, three silvers and a bronze, and, from a squad of 40, qualified for 12 A and six B finals.
Picking up their first Maadi medals, Harry Lightfoot and Seb Watson won gold in both the under-17 double and, along with Charlie Manser, Max Davis and cox Mia Pagan, the U17 coxed quad.
Seb and Mia also featured, along with Xavier Small, Ashton White and Toby Tregidga, in the silver-winning U18 coxed quad sculls.
Xavier and Ashton also won silver in the U18 double sculls — the latter’s the first Wakatipu High student to medal at four consecutive Maadis.
Charlie, Max, McKellar Thornton, Jasper Crawford and cox Abbey Pedersen won silver in the U16 coxed quad sculls.
And the U15 girls’ coxed quad of Zara Small, Chelsea Wood, Eve Pagan, Caitlyn Purdue and cox Amelie Dee won bronze.
Coach John Morrison won the Bill Eady Trophy for junior coach of the year for the second time.
And also helping the crews were 100-plus friends and family members cheering on.
Meantime, four rowers —Xavier (U19) and Seb, Harry and Charlie (U18) — were asked to trial for age-group rep teams.
