Sporting excellence was decided last week in the Mid Canterbury Sports Awards. While the majority of profiles of the nominees of the categories appeared in last weekend’s Guardian, some were missed off the list so make their appearance today.

OUTSTANDING JUNIOR TEAM

The Ashburton College –  Smallbore Rifle

It’s been a dominating 12 months for the Ashburton College Smallbore Rifle Team, who have delivered outstanding results once again. They were untouchable during the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Shooting Championships, holding off the challenge of 25 other schools, where they showed real consistency in their performances to beat some classy line-ups. The team also produced the top two individuals in the competition and three individual grade champions as well.

OUTSTANDING JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON

Shania Harrison-Lee – Shooting

Shania Harrison-Lee has had a busy year competing overseas at the Oceania Championships, where she gained gold and bronze medals – as well as picking up two new Oceania records – to complete a total haul of four new records for the year. With a trophy haul totalling 24 for the 12-month period she was a part of 11 different New Zealand teams, and is currently ranked number two in the country for smallbore rifle shooting. The top individual in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Harrison-Lee is now training for the opening of the Commonwealth Games 2022 selection over the coming months.

Hayley Tallentire – Netball

2019 was a breakout year on the netball court for Hayley Tallentire. She was one of 20 players identified across New Zealand at the South Island Secondary Schools’ competition as a talented player. An integral part of the Ashburton College Senior A side inside the shooting circle, Hayley was pivotal in the side’s success in the local Premier A netball competition and placing fourth at the South Island Secondary Schools’ tournament which also acted as a qualifier for the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ tournament where the side performed with distinction. As well as her playing efforts, Hayley is an active coach and official on the sidelines in the younger grades.

Maadi Lowry – Cycling

Maadi Lowry is set for a huge future on the bike following on from a successful 2019. The star was in golden form at the New Zealand Age Group Track Nationals, claiming a gold medal in the Under 17 Girls’ Points Race, a silver medal in the team pursuit and a bronze medal in the Madison. Add to that a four silver medal haul at the Canterbury Track Cycling Championships and two gold medals at the Aoraki Secondary Schools’ Road Cycling Championships and she’s a name for the future – perhaps a future name to wear the silver fern.

Taylah Burrowes – Karate

It’s been a standout 12 months for Taylah Burrowes, who is producing good results her specialist sport of karate. Currently, she holds the Australian and New Zealand National Secondary Schools’ titles for Kumite Cadets (under 16) and is New Zealand Open Champion. Despite an extremely busy schedule, Taylah still managed to place in every competition that she competed in during the 12 month period. Truly remarkable stuff.

Kyle Cabangun – Karate

Hard work and dedication on the mat have led Kyle Cabangun to achieve impressive results in karate over the past 12 months.

A well-respected competitor who has always shown respect to his fellow competitors, Kyle’s crowning glory was his success at the Australian Open in Sydney where he placed first in the Junior Male, less than 55kg Kumite event.

Add to that his multiple placings in various national tournaments and his success in provincial tournaments and he’s destined for great things.

OUTSTANDING SENIOR SPORTSPERSON

Brittany Fowler – Equestrian

It’s been an exciting 12 months for rising 

equestrian star, Brittany Fowler.

Getting the opportunity to wear the Silver Fern in the Interschool Eventing Team and then winning first place in the Eventing Australia International Challenge she’s pushed her name into the spotlight of the equestrian sport.

A member of this year’s Eventing New Zealand Talent squad – a team of just seven riders from across New Zealand, Brittany has produced consistently excellent results across all national and regional events throughout the 12 month period.

© The Ashburton Guardian - June 2020