SPORT Christ’s College claims Maadi Cup with all-the- way win
College rowing proved far too strong in the premier event at the National Secondary Schools Championships, powering to victory in the prestigious Maadi Cup for a record 13th time.
In total, College won six medals at the week-long event on Lake Karapiro, near Cambridge. The College U18 eight left runner- up Auckland Grammar School in its wake, crossing the finish line more than six seconds ahead to win the flagship race in 6:06.47. Guided by senior coaches Malcolm McIntyre, Will Satch and Henry Smith, the U18 crew of Archie Batchelor (stroke), Gus Orr, Liam Alexander, Louie Bethell, Johnny Lee, Angus Wynn-Williams, George Trolove, Thomas McEwan and Hamish McCulloch (cox) sped straight to the lead to dictate the race terms. After winning the U18 title in 2018, losing out in 2019, and the event being cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the College crew was determined to reclaim the Maadi Cup. For the coaches – along with team manager Chris Sellars – the Maadi Cup win was the culmination of four years of preparation, as well as overcoming a trying environment of lockdowns and cancelled events.
“It was a truly remarkable performance from a special group of boys,” says coach Henry Smith. “They have epitomised what it means to be a College boy, showing fortitude and resilience to come back so well after the past year. “Although the nine boys in the crew won the event, it’s a special moment for the whole boat club as both seniors and juniors have been working towards this for several years. “We are exceedingly happy with the results at the championships and this shows that focusing across all year groups pays dividends, and hopefully sets the scene for more success in the future.” College narrowly missed the golden triple, with the U17 eight – Edward Botherway (stroke), Oscar Todhunter, Abe McArthur, George Clarke, Johnny Lee, Raymond Brooks, Toby Beresford, Hamish Grigg and Jake Cutler (cox) – winning silver in 5:55.03. The U16 eight – Tom Picton- Warlow (stroke), Luke James, Oscar Todhunter, George
Cochrane, George Clarke, Max Harris, Charlie Poulter, Alex Speight and Luke Menzies (cox) – also secured silver in 6:14.45. In the coxed four, College crews brought home bronze medals in the U18, U17 and U16 races, with impressive efforts by Archie Batchelor (stroke), Gus Orr, George Trolove, Thomas McEwan and Hamish McCulloch (cox); Edward Botherway (stroke), Oscar Todhunter, Abe McArthur, Hamish Grigg and Jake Cutler (cox); and George Cochrane (stroke), Charlie Poulter, Max Harris, George Clarke and Luke Menzies (cox), respectively. Another College crew finished 4th in the U18 coxed four. Following the regatta, Abe McArthur was named for the U18 South Island trials, while Liam Alexander, George Trolove and Thomas McEwan were selected for New Zealand junior trials. Nearly 2700 young rowers took to the waters throughout the week, supported by coaches, school staff, and, of course, parents.
Christ’s College Canterbury
66
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog