Wootton, Saunders take national schools cycling honours

Outstanding prospects Renee Wootton and Callum Saunders claimed the senior honours in the points races to conclude the New Zealand Schools Road Cycling Championships in Manawatu.

Wootton (Massey High) followed her victory in the road race with the points race honours, following on from two wins in the individual school championships earlier this month.

She had to work hard in the 24km women's under-20 points race, consistently picking up points in wet conditions at Manfeild Autocourse in Feilding.

"It was really tough racing out there today with fierce competition from top riders," said Wootton.

It was a challenging weekend for riders across all 12 age grades as wet and windy weather played a huge part in racing throughout the weekend.

"Despite the weather it was a fantastic weekend and I am very proud to win these events in my last year of school racing," said Wootton.

The 39km under-20 men's points race was a tighter affair with just three points separating the top two riders.

Saunders (Marlborough Boys College) was crowned national champion ahead of Jordan Castle from Palmerston North Boys High School.

The win was an honour for Saunders who came third in the points championship and second in the road race in 2012, after representing New Zealand in the World Junior Track Championships in Scotland recently.

His victory also ensured the trophy will make a rare move to the South Island, after riders from the North Island have dominated in recent years.

"I have always wanted to take the David Duff trophy back to the South Island as the trophy is named after great family friends." said Saunders.

"The race was full gas the whole way and very hectic with the rain. But all and all it felt good and I am very happy to be walking away with the win."

The top school trophies went to Palmerston North Boys High School with Baradene College claiming the girls’ honours.

Results:
Male, Under 20: Callum Saunders (Marlborough Boys) 16 points, 1; Jordan Castle (Palmerston North Boys) 13, 2; Joshua Haggerty (Southland Boys) 8, 3; Corby Price (Hamilton Boys) 5, 4; John Newman-Watt (Massey) 5, 5.

Under 17: Josh Kendall (Palmerston North Boys) 13, 1; Alex West (Palmerston North Boys) 8, 2; Louis Higginson (Scots College) 6, 3; Alex Wilson (Auckland Grammar) 6, 4; Max Jones (Christchurch Boys) 5, 5.

Under 16: Campbell Stewart (Palmerston North Boys) 20, 1; Joshua Smith (Christchurch Boys) 7, 2; Robert Stannard (Palmerston North Boys) 4, 3; Alex Morreau (Auckland Grammar) 3, 4; Hugo Jones (Christchurch Boys) 3, 5.

Under 15: Jacob Kench (Takapuna Grammar) 15, 1; William Young (Auckland Grammar) 4, 2; Aaron Wylie (Auckland Grammar) 4, 3; Sam Titter-Dower (Strathallan) 3, 4; Oscar Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar) 3, 5.

Under 14: Thomas Garbett (Waiopehu) 11, 1; Adam McPheat (Takapuna Grammar) 9, 2; Jamie Leitch (Strathallan) 9, 3; George Leitch (Rongotai) 3, 4; Whitiora Rolleston (Glendowie) 1, 5.
Under 13 Boys: Dylan McCullough (Saint Kentigern) 10, 1; Kiaan Watts (Hilltop School Taupo) 5, 2; Finn Fisher- Black (Nelson Intermediate) 5, 3; Finn Sherlock (Scots) 1, 4; Callum Walsh (Saint Kentigern) 1, 5.

Female, Under 20: Renee Wootton (Massey) 12, 1; Kate Stewart (Palmerston North Girls) 9, 2; Phoebe Treseder (Iona College) 5, 3; Maggie Allan (Waikato Diocesan) 5, 4; Sammy Croft (Massey) 5, 5.

Under 17: Bryony Botha (Rangitoto College) 12, 1; Ellie Cowan (Takapuna Grammar) 8, 2; Yasmin Kessner (Baradene) 7, 3; Elizabeth Stannard (Palmerston North Girls) 6, 4; Lydia Rippon (Massey) 6, 5.

Under 16: Michaela Drummond (Palmerston North Girls) 14, 1; Mikayla Harvey (Saint Kentigern) 12, 2; Katherine Badham (Takapuna Grammar) 10, 3; Phoebe McCaughan (Villa Maria) 4, 4; Charlotte Milne (ACG Parnell) 3, 5.

Under 15: Emily Shearman (Palmerston North Girls) 11, 1; Georgia Danford (St Mary's) 5, 2; Libby Arbuckle (Palmerston North Girls) 5, 3; Olivia Reiber (Villa Maria) 5, 4; Georgia Clarke (St Cuthbert's) 3, 5.

Under 14: Shaane Fulton (Waimea Intermediate) 8, 1; Jenna Merrick (Baradene) 8, 2; Niamh Fisher- Black (Nelson Intermediate) 7, 3; Erica Dysart (Baradene e) 5, 4; Alicia Hoskin (Gisborne) 3, 5.

Under 13: Ally Wollaston (Baradene) 10, 1; Ava Morrow (Rangi Ruru) 4, 2; Eva Parkinson (Southwell) 4, 3; Courtney King (Southwell) 1, 4; Olivia King (Southwell) 5.

Details: For more information: www.schoolroadnats.co.nz