Veronica Wall and Mollie Gibson. Photo supplied.Ashburton rowers, Mollie Gibson and Veronica Wall have gained national recognition by being named in the Rowing NZ Junior side today.

The pair, who are both students at Ashburton College, have enjoyed a stellar year on the waters around the country, including a domination of the single sculls and double sculls at the recent Maadi Cup championships at Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel last month.

Wall made the side last year, but it is the first appearance in the silver fern for Gibson who was one of the stories of the Maadi Cup after working her way brilliantly through to the final of the single sculls before bursting away with the gold in the final against a strong line up of scullers.

In an extra great result for rowing locally, Justin Wall has been named as one of the coaches of the national side.

Gibson will be a part of the Junior Women’s Quadruple Scull, which is also the reserve squad for the Junior Women’s Double Sculls.

Wall has been given the coveted spot of the Junior Women’s Single Scull – a further sign that her future in the sport will see her competing at the elite level in the future.

The squad was announced on Friday at Lake Karapiro and it will be straight to work for the crews before the depart for Racice in the Czech Republic in early August.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 21 April 2018