Steedman seeks to maintain championship dominance
Athletics
Credit to Athletics NZ
Alfie Steedman romped to the U18 1500m and 3000m double at the 2023 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships and will be among the favourites for the senior boys’ race at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships in Palmerston North on Saturday.
Alfie Steedman is the runner to beat in the senior boys’ New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championship to be staged at the Sport and Rugby Institute Manawatu Campus, Massey University in Palmerston North on Saturday (17 June).
Steedman has built up an impressive list of credentials over the past 12 months. He won the 2022 junior championship in Nelson and the New Zealand U16 cross country title in Taupo. On the track in March he won the U18 1500m and 3000m nationals titles and during a momentous summer also snared the U20 New Zealand mile title.
Caleb Wagener – a Year Nine winner in 2021 and second to Steedman last year – will be aiming to go one better in the seniors. Other leading runners pitting their skills against Steedman are Jack Erikson, the national U16 road champion, and World Cross Country Championship representatives Elliott Pugh and Jamie Mora.
Also entered are Max Poland, Daniel Prescott, the third junior in 2021, Angus Sevier, the junior winner in 2021, Daniel Sinclair, Dion Wallwork and Jack Sneddon. Another challenger will be George Wyllie, who was the third junior last year, Max Tuttle, and if it comes down to a sprint finish James Trathen the national U18 800m champion and second to Steedman in the 1500m will be a threat.
Boh Ritchie will be aiming to make it three years in a row in the winners’ circle. Ritchie has shown exceptional form taking out the 2022 New Zealand U20 cross country and road titles as well as the junior girls’ secondary schools cross country title in Nelson. Ritchie was 41st in the U20 women’s race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst. Catherine Lund who was 27th at Bathurst and Bella Earl 36th are also strong contenders for the title. Zara Geddes will be defending the senior girls’ 4km. Aiming for high placings will be Amelia Clark second junior last year and national U16 champion. Ava Sutherland 2021 junior winner, Sophie Robb national U18 road champion, Brynne Gordon, the third junior last year, Bronwen Rees-Jones, Poppy Martin and Bridie Restieaux further bolster the strength of the field.
The junior boys’ 4km should develop into a close race between national U16 1500m and 3000m champion Ben Oxford and year nine winner and 3km road champion Desmond Reddy. Also challenging for a podium placing will be Quinn Moss, George Gray, Cooper Ferguson, Otto Church and Samuel Rickerby.
Imogen Barlow is a firm favourite for the junior girls’ title. Barlow dominated the U16 grade at the national track and field championships in March winning the 800m, 1500m and 3000m treble. Scarlett Robb, the year nine 3km road champion, Denika Clooney, twins Lisa and Sarah Hellyer and Eleanor Pugh will also take to the start line.
Leading runners in the year nine grade include – Esme Reid, Amy Towers, Madison Wos, Indie Williams, Zoe Hilton, Moojin Lee, Caleb Maunder, Sam Ruthe and David Sinclair.
A total of ten have entered the senior Para Athlete 2km while Toby Ireland will defend his junior 2km along with William Donaldson.
The seventh regional cross country teams event will be held on Sunday, with 15 regions competing.
The 49th championships on Saturday starts with the junior girls at 10.30am.
By Murray McKinnon
***Follow a livestream of the action here
***Day one results here
***Day two results here
***More information here
Article added: Friday 16 June 2023
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