Otago has named its team to defend its South Island interprovincial rowing title.
The team will compete at the early-season regatta on October 6 and 7 at Lake Ruataniwha.
It has been a tight competition between Otago and Canterbury in recent years, although Otago has had the edge.
That is an edge it is confident of retaining after naming a strong team.
The men’s team is headlined by Dunstan Arms’ Simon Smith, who claimed an impressive bronze medal in the open single sculls at this year’s national championships.
He is joined by several other impressive names, including youngster Bradley Leydon, who went to last year’s Junior World Championships.
Leydon is also part of a strong under-20 scullers team, which is made up of four John McGlashan College pupils and ex-pupils.
Among them is Jack McLaughlan, who claimed gold in the under-17 single sculls at the Maadi Cup.
The women’s team should be equally tough to beat, the seniors boasting three rowers of the highly successful Otago University squad, as well as North End’s Emma Wallace.
Meanwhile its under-20 sweepers team has a strong Columba College influence, alongside University’s Gabby Hunter.
The under-20 scullers team boasts plenty of upcoming talent too, including this year’s joint winners of school rower of the year in Eva Hofmans and Haylee Budd.
Otago interprovincial
Team
Men
U20 Scullers: Bradley Leydon, Nic Chamberlain, Will Edwards, Jack McLaughlan.
U20 Sweepers: Dylan Davis, Jez Nicholson-Kelly, Oscar Cochrane, Todd Bezett.
Open: Simon Smith, Greg McLaughlan, Corey Lewis, Jared Brenssell, Kyle Hughes, Scott Bezett, Bradley Leydon.
Coxswain: Cameron Leydon.
Travelling reserve: Ben Mason.
Women
U20 Scullers: Eva Hofmans, Grace Wilson, Haylee Budd, Michaela Turfus.
U20 Sweepers: Amber Cunningham, Ellen Foley, Gabby Hunter, Millie Wright.
Open: Emma Wallace, Riley Homan, Clora Quinlan-Thompson, Kate Campbell.
Coxswain: Tamara Davis.
Travelling reserve: Josie Cook.
