Grace Wilson (bow) and Veronica Wall celebrate thier victory in the U18 double final at Maadi. Photo Steve McArthurJustin Wall had a lengthy road trip ahead of him to ponder over the week that was at Maadi Cup and when the Ashburton College rowing coach finally pulls into his driveway, he’ll no doubt be in awe of what his incredible crew managed to achieve.

Ashburton walked away with an outstanding five gold medals from the week’s effort and also claimed a bronze medal and filled placings, or won, a number of B Finals during the last few days of the competition.

“It’s been an amazing week, the team have by far exceeded my expectations,” Wall said.

“But they have done a great job off the water as well; Ashburton should be very proud of them and what they have done in representing the region.”

One of the smaller schools at the Maadi Cup, Ashburton’s results have them now pegged as a feared force in secondary school rowing.

They finished third in the Star Trophy for the overall top school of the week, beaten by Hamilton Boys’ High School and St Peters’ School.

They also picked up second in the prestigious President’s Sculls which goes to the leading sculls rowing school of the week.

St Peters claimed that title with Ashburton finishing ahead of prominent rowing schools such as Hamilton Boys’, Westlake Girls’ and Kings College.

“If you based it on a per-capita format, we would be by far and above everyone else.

“And we are a school who, if you want to row, you are in.

“We don’t leave anyone behind. It’s everybody.”

Wall himself was recognised with the Bill Eaddy Memorial Trophy which was awarded by his peers and he said it was something he was very proud of.

He had nothing but admiration for his crew as a coach, but Wall’s pride in the efforts of his daughter, Veronica, were emotion-filled.

“I could not be more proud of her,” he said.

“She’s risen over and above in maturity and ability and handled it all like it’s just another day.

“There’s been a bit of criticism in a few of the rowing circles that she’s not handling all the pressure, but she’s waving that all off and continues to amaze me with her outlook and positivity about everything.”

After her four-win haul last year at Maadi, Wall managed a repeat in 2017.

She claimed gold with Grace Wilson in the Girls’ Under 18 Double Sculls on Friday and also took out the Under 17 Girls’ Single Sculls.

On Saturday she blew her rivals off the water in the Under 18 Single Sculls and then teamed up with Olivia Gibson, Wilson, Mollie Gibson and Emma Jansen to win the Under 18 Girls’ Coxed Quad Sculls.

“She’s on her own when it comes to single sculls at the moment, she has no peer.

“And for her to be able to team up with Grace and work through from novice to winning again this weekend and then again with the quad it’s hard not to be proud of her as a father.”

Wall’s stocks in the rowing world continue to rise and she is regarded by many highly-qualified rowing experts as the next big thing on the water at the moment.

What awaits her next will remain to be seen, but a black singlet is already in the offing and judging by a few of the results from some of her school mates during the week, there’s potential that she might not be the only one.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 2 April 2017