National Schools Triathlon Champs exposes future talent

The Contact Schools National Triathlon Championships concluded at Lake Karapiro today with teams racing rounding out a stunning weekend that highlighted the future talent in the sport.

Conditions were overcast and at times a little cool for the 500 competitors that had turned out from right around the country but that did little to dampen the enthusiasm and commitment of the athletes across all races, from the elites to those taking part just to get a taste of triathlon.

In the feature U19 races it was victory for Michael Poole (Auckland Grammar) and Sophie Corbidge (Kristen School), two of the pre race favourites on the spectator friendly circuit in and around the Lake Karapiro complex.

Poole was expected to battle for victory in a strong field that included Edward Rawles (Francis Douglas Memorial), Sam Franklin (St Kentigerns), Alex Smith (St Kentigerns), Alexi Petrie (Mount Albert Grammar School) and Sam Osborne (Western Heights High School), all of whom have featured prominently throughout the summer of racing in the Contact Tri Series. But a stunning bike leg put paid to that competition with Poole able to cruise home a minute ahead of Rawles.

Poole was unsure how he would race today after a busy few weeks of training.

“I have been doing quite a bit of cycling over the last two weeks including a few races so was unsure how I would race today. I went as hard as I could on the bike to establish a lead on the run and just tried to hold on. The win is great, especially by that margin. I will no be doing a Duathlon selection race in Christchurch next month.”

In the U19 Girls race Sophie Corbidge needed all of her experience and leg speed to run clear of Amelia Watkinson (Auckland Diocesan School for Girls) after the two entered the final leg side by side.

Corbidge was delighted to end her season on such a high, winning the Schools title at her third attempt.

“I really enjoyed the swim but had a terrible transition so was pleased to run so well to bring it home. I have finished 5th, 2nd and now first so I’m really happy. I’m now looking forward to the World Champs on the Gold coast at end of the year and representing New Zealand as well as I can.”

The U16 category was reasonably clear cut in both cases with Sam Moarreau (Auckland Grammar School) and Maddie Dillon (Kristen School) running out comfortable winners, making it a double day of success for their respective schools.

Dillon has featured strongly during the summer, gaining experience racing against older and more seasoned competitors and is already looking ahead to next year.

“I was 2nd out of the swim and got a great lead on the bike, and just felt great on the run. Bring on next year.”

Moarreau by contrast had to come through the pack after a poor swim but won in similar style in the end.

“I had a bit of a rough swim was about 6th or 7th out of the water and chasing Andrew Ranford who won the Auckland champs by breaking way on the bike so I was stoked to catch him on the 2nd lap. I knew I had won it once we were on the run though, that’s what I do best.”

Contact National Schools Championships

Lake Karapiro

U19 Boys 750m swim, 21km bike, 5km run

1 Michael Poole (Auckland Grammar School) 10:58 swim, 32:51 bike, 18:52 run, 1:02:42 overall time

2 Edward Rawles (Francis Douglas Memorial) 10:55, 34:49, 17:56, 1:03:42

3 Sam Franklin (St Kentigern College) 10:54, 33:31, 19:29, 1:03:56

4 Alex Smith (St Kentigern College) 10:57, 34:19, 19:17, 1:04:34

5= Alexi Petrie (Mt Albert Grammar School) 11:25, 34:15, 19:04, 1:04:44

5= Sam Osborne (Western Heights High School) 12:27, 34:33, 17:43, 1:04:44

U19 Girls 750m swim, 21km bike, 5km run

1 Sophie Corbidge (Kristen School) 12:06 swim, 40:56 bike, 21:21 run, 1:14:25 overall time

2 Amelia Watkinson (Auckland Diocesan School for Girls) 14:58, 38:16, 21:44, 1:14:59

3 Reubyn Mary Jane Bisschops (St Kevins College) 14:24, 39:25, 21:33, 1:15:22

4 Courtney Grenfell (Chilton Saint James Schhol) 14:04, 38:25, 23:30, 1:16:00

5 Deborah Lynch (St Mary’s College Wellington) 12:57, 40:53, 22:39, 1:16:30

U16 Boys 500m swim, 14km bike, 4km run

1 Sam Morreau (Auckland Grammar School) 07:30 swim, 23:05 bike, 14:53 run, 45:29 overall time

2 Joshua Kenyon (Taupo Nui-a-tia College) 07:39, 23:15, 15:18, 46:13

3 Patrick Burrows (Tauranga) 07:58, 24:34, 15:03, 47:36

4 Matthew McQueen (Saint Kentigern College) 08:36, 24:02, 15:48, 48:27

5 Andrew Ranford (Takapuna Grammar) 07:24, 23:25, 17:42, 48:31

U16 Girls 500m swim, 14km bike, 4km run

1 Maddie Dillon (Kristen School) 07:55 swim, 26:21 bike, 17:56 run, 52:12 overall

2 Mikayla Nielsen (Correspondence) 08:58, 27:24, 16:23, 52:46

3 Danielle Mckenzie (Rangitoto College) 07:51, 27:46, 18:26, 54:03

4 Rebecca Burridge (Auckland Diocesan School for Girls) 09:07, 27:19, 18:00, 54:26

5 Natasha Bowyer (Westlake Girls High School) 08:48, 28:05, 18:00,54:53

U14 Boys 350m swim, 11.4km bike, 3km run

1 Kieran Coates Trident High School) 06:35 swim, 20:14 bike, 12:07 run, 38:57 overall

2 Matt Grenfell (Hutt International Boys)07:16, 20:46, 11:53, 39:56

3 Jay Wallwork (Pakuranga College) 07:14, 21:25, 11:36, 40:16

4 Elliot Wright (Auckland Grammar School) 08:07, 21:26, 12:29, 42:03

5 Samual Pietras (Wellington) 08:20, 21:28, 12:17, 42:06

U14 Girls 350m swim, 11.4km bike, 3km run

1 Elise Salt (St Cuthbert’s School) 06:22 swim, 21:59 bike, 13:27 run, 41:48 overall

2 Steph Holcroft (Hillcrest High School) 06:26, 21:27, 14:31, 42:24

3 Susannah Lynch (St Mary’s College Wellington) 07:24, 23:09, 12:30, 43:05

4 Alice Mcfall (Aquanis) 07:44, 22:44, 13:06, 43:35

5 Anneka Herdson (St Cuthbert’s) 07:37, 23:34, 13:20, 44:32

Team’s Racing

U19 Boys

1 CBHS 09:34 swim, 30:33 bike, 18:19 run, 58:27 overall

2 SKC A 09:36, 31:12,18:33, 59:21

3 St Pauls 09:24, 33:15, 18:48, 1:01:29

4 WHS Gold 09:45, 34:19, 17:51, 1:01:55

5 Matamata College 10:50, 33:15, 18:55

U19 Girls

1 St. Mary's College Wgtn 11:22 swim, 39:23 bike, 20:29 run, 1:11:14 overall

2 Chilton Saint James 11:48, 37:40, 22:18, 1:11:47

3 Westlake Girls High 12:07, 38:37, 21:11, 1:11:56

4 Rangi 11:04, 41:40, 20:41, 1:13:26

5 Dio Blue/Green 11:57, 40:30, 21:06, 1:13:33

Full results for all age groups can be found at www.triathlon.org.nz