Masters athlete wins gold and sets records

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 574, 21 February 1995, Page 3

Masters athlete wins gold and sets records

The recent New Zealand Masters' Games in Wanganui proved to be a success for Waimarino participants not only as a socially enjoyable sporting event but also in medals. Jill Evans triumphed with three gold and one silver medal as well as setting some new games records for her 45-49 year age group. Despite what she calls a "disappointing" throw in the javelin, she still managed a gold medal and set a new Masters Games record in that event with 23.34 metre throw. She said it was nothing like her personal best from her younger days, when she set the (still standing) West Coast North Island javelin record. "Tom Spry and I had been practising in his cow paddock — I needed the cow pats to help me judge distance," she jokes. She was much more enthusiastic about her discus gold medal, throwing 3 1 .2m, not far off the distances she used to throw, and also enough to set a new games record. "That would have to be one of the highlights of the games - to throw as far as I did when I was 20." Another gold came in the shotput with a 9.27m throw and she came 4th in the triple jump. As if her athletics efforts were not enough, she also played hockey for the Wanganui Golden Oldies, winning a silver medal, and was roped in to play netball and volleyball. She said the other overall highlight was the atmosphere of the games — meeting old friends and making new ones. She said there was a good competitive element to the games but running through the event was friendliness. "You just felt you belonged," she said. The Ruapehu Masters competitors all wore yellow team shirts which made them easily identifiable at the social events, she said. "We were one of the few districts to have that kind of identity. People could spot groups of Ruapehu people easily, and others got to know who we were too." The Ruapehu Masters identity was helped through organisation by Robin Scarrow, June Foster, Brian Wilson and Rick Lowe with support from the Ohakune Hotel Pub Charityfund. Tom Spry did well with a silver in the javelin, shotput and long jump and bronze in the discus. Don Robinson scored a silver in the triple jump and John Kennedy won bronze in the 400metres. The Young Bucks mixed netball team won silver and Kune Carrots made it to the post section level. Jeff Morriss won gold in the endurance ride and John Smith won silver. Among the medals in badminton were Colin and Jocelyn Cranston and Elaine Weller. Other sports represented at the games by Waimarino folk included squash, bowls, triathlon and equestrian events. FOOTNOTE: The Bulletin has relied on contributed information. If there are any other Masters success stories, call Robert 06-385-8532 and we'll gladly add them to the records.