College boys take rowing regatta by storm

SCOTT HAMMOND/The Marlborough Express

TEARS OF JOY: Ryan Wilson, front, and Tom Murray are hugged by, from left, Tom's mother, Lynn, and Lynn's sister, Sandra Harrop, shortly after winning gold in the under-16 double sculls final at Lake Ruataniwha on Saturday.

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Marlborough Boys' College crews stunned the rowing fraternity in Saturday's finals of the Aon national secondary schools' Maadi Cup rowing regatta on Lake Ruataniwha.

Twelve months ago at the corresponding event, the college crews, which are based at the Blenheim Rowing Club, did not win a single medal.

But they are quick learners. Twelve months of planning, led by head coach Bill Campbell, a gruelling training regime and an intense buildup involving several regattas, and the college boys took the finals day by storm.

In front of more than 6000 spectators, they won three gold medals and four silver medals to finish second overall out of 114 schools competing.

By the end of the day, they were New Zealand's top-ranked boys' secondary school and second in the country overall, just six points behind Rangi Ruru Girls' school from Christchurch.

Tom Murray and Ryan Wilson kicked off celebrations by taking gold in the first final of the day and the same two backed that up shortly afterwards with a second gold in the coxed quad.

Murray certainly has pedigree on his side. Mum Lynn Murray is a Marlborough tennis champion and his grandfather and great grandfather, John and Jack Werges respectively, were New Zealand red coat rowing champions.

Marlborough Girls' College didn't win any gold medals, but still produced several top performances, led by their two stars, Sophie Mackenzie and Georgia Hammond, who contested five finals and won three silver medals each.A full report and more pics from the Maadi Cup regatta appear on page 9.

- The Marlborough Express

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