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Otago Daily Times

Putting in hours to reach top of lower-profile sports

The light often shines on the success of athletes and teams in our mainstream, well promoted and viewed sports. However, Otago has some outstanding fine athletes who train just as hard, dedicate the same hours and shine just like the rest but without the publicity — today it's time to recognise these fine performers. BAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Ella Rowe Sport: CrossFit Sporting achievement and/or goals: I have qualified for a CrossFit competition in Brisbane this year — the Torian Pro on May 30 to June 1. I will be the only New Zealander in the 16-17 girls' category to qualify for it. My goal for this competition is to go out and have fun, gain experience and be the best I can be, and to trust my training. I also got into Olympic weightlifting at the same time and have won a New Zealand secondary schools title. How did you get into this sport: I got into this sport after 11 years of competitive gymnastics because my coach suggested I should try it. LAWRENCE AREA SCHOOL Tegan Leadbeater Sport played: Rodeo/bull riding Sporting achievement and/or goals: I was the reserve rider for the transtasman competition in 2024. One of my goals for the future is to represent New Zealand in the transtasman competition. Another goal is to win a national title. There are not many female bull riders in the South Island. I am one of only three. How did you get into this sport: My stepdad was a judge for over 10 years and I saw a couple of rides and was hooked. Mason McLaren Sport played: Kyokshun karate Sporting achievement and/or goals: National title junior lightweight second place. Junior middleweight second. This year's goal is to win at the nationals next month at Elwood School, Christchurch. How did you get into this sport: A friend's grandfather runs the club. I have been doing this martial art for almost eight years. ST HILDA'S COLLEGIATE Lily Havard Sport played: Cycling Sporting achievement and/or goals: I swapped to cycling from competitive swimming just over a year ago. Since then I have been to France and trained alongside a club team there. This fuelled my motivation for road cycling. My goal is to take what I learned in France and next winter do a European summer racing block. I also want to build on my track and MTB skills and compete in those disciplines. How did you get into this sport: My parents used to ride and compete until I was born, so I have always been around bikes. This included being towed in the trailer behind Mum's bike on Sunday long rides since before I could walk. Before quitting swimming, I had done the odd Monday night racing out on the Taieri and Sunday rides with Mum, but never really competed. After deciding to quit swimming, I started to ride more, and since then, I haven't really stopped. Cycling is a great sport because there are many disciplines to mix it up and keep it interesting. KING'S HIGH SCHOOL Jack Higgins Sport: Surfing Sporting achievement and/or goals: In my surfing career so far, I have achieved many goals I wouldn't think would come true. One of them was finishing fourth in the under-16s in New Zealand, which meant a lot to me as it was my first year in the U16s last year. Another achievement I'm very proud of is winning the U16 division at the Duke Festival of Surfing in Christchurch. This means a lot because many of the best surfers in New Zealand came down for this comp and to beat them was so special. Next year I'm moving into the U18 division, which is going to be very hard but I have a goal of making the New Zealand surfing team. It will be difficult but I believe I can do it. How did you get into this sport: My dad got me into surfing because he loved the sport also and wanted to teach me. The first time he took me surfing was when I was around 9 months in Bali. It was such a special moment to me till this day and it felt so cool to be riding a wave and I wanted to keep doing it. I wanted to keep improving until I could stand up, then till I could do a manoeuvre, and each day my friends kept inspiring me to get better and better. Now we have friendly competitions to continue pushing each other to our limits. My friends and family are the reason why I'm here today. East Otago High School Ryan Howard Sport played: Ice hockey Sporting achievement: Member of Dunedin Thunder team who won the 2024 New Zealand under-15 ice hockey national tournament. Sporting goals: To make the New Zealand under-16 team this year. How did you get into this sport: From watching the movie The Mighty Ducks Ashley Howard Sport played: Ice hockey Sporting achievement: New Zealand under-18 reserve in 22024, also playing with the Dunedin Thunder women. Sporting goals: This year I am working to improve skating skills so I can go play in another country How did you get into this sport: Through my brother, Ryan, and dad encouraging me by sending me ice hockey videos to watch.