One of Palmerston North's Macdermid brood, instead of two, could be among the medals at the 41st National Secondary Schools Cross-Country Championships at Massey University today.
It is likely to be 15-year-old Awatapu College student Zia, rather than her illustrious older sister Kara.
Kara won't be running because she is off in a week's time with mother, Fiona, to run senior and under-20 international races in England, Germany and Belgium for eight weeks.
She also missed out last year because the cross-country was held a week before Kara went to Ukraine for the world youth championships.
"The timing doesn't fit into it," Fiona said. "You can't do track and cross-country."
"She needs to go to Europe to get good experience in decent-sized fields."
The sisters finished first and second in last Sunday's Dorne Cup in Wellington, in the open women's event.
Zia will contest the 3km junior girls' under-16 race tomorrow. On the same course she won the Manawatū schools' title by more than a minute. Palmerston North's Jaimee Leader and Elizabeth Stannard are also capable of top-120 placings.
Last year Zia's ninth placing in the girls' year 9 was the best from a Manawatū athlete. She will face tough tests from Ari Graham (St Andrew's College), Madison Rennie (Bethlehem College) second last year, Bridie Edwards (Waimea College), second in the year nine, and Auckland's Georgia Clode (Baradene College).
Zia's father, Paul, had input into building the course which was first used last year for the schools' Super 8 event. It is a mix of flat on the Sport and Rugby Institute fields with log jumps in a paddock and a muddy water feature.
The top-rated seniors are Jacob Priddey (Hamilton Boys' High School) and Audrey Gregan (St Cuthberts College), both second at Christchurch last year.
After the week's rain it will be softer than usual, probably greasy and spikes will help.
A total of 922 athletes from 118 schools will compete with Palmerston North Boys' High School usually strong in the team events. It will be the first time in almost 40 years (since 1975) since it was last held in Manawatū.
RACE SCHEDULE:
- 10am: AWD combined disability, boys and girls.
- 10.30am: Year 9 Girls.
- 11am: Year 9 Boys.
- 11.30am: Junior Girls.
- Noon: Junior Boys.
- 12.30pm: Senior Girls.
- 1pm: Senior Boys.
- 4pm: Prizegiving.
The top-rated seniors are Jacob Priddey (Hamilton Boys' High School) and Audrey Gregan (St Cuthberts College), both second at Christchurch last year.
Source: Manawatū Standard
Be the first to comment