Rowing runs in the family at Rangiora High School
Rupert Jackman and William Morris-Whyte hope to follow in the footsteps of their older brothers Rowan Jackman and Lawson Morris-Whyte, and they have already started to show signs of success.
Rangiora High School rowers from North Canterbury Rupert Jackman and William Morris-Whyte have already started to follow in the footsteps of their successful big brothers.
Their brothers Rowan Jackman and Lawson Morris-Whyte also began rowing when they were at the school, and they were selected for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival held earlier this year.
Rowan received a medal in each of the three events he entered, winning silver in the lightweight double sculls and eights, and bronze in the quadruple sculls.
Lawson withdrew from the event early due to a back injury, but he has won multiple medals including gold in the coxless quad sculls and single sculls at the 2012 BankLink NZ Rowing Championships.
The teacher in charge of rowing at Rangiora High, Carey Howat, said that Rowan and Lawson “inspire the whole team”.
Rupert said he used to go to regattas every weekend to watch his older brother Rowan before he gave rowing a go and won some medals of his own.
Rupert and William won gold in the under-17 quad and bronze in the under-18 doubles at the South Island Secondary School Championships earlier this month.
At only 16, William and Rupert both raced in the boys under-18 coxed quad sculls during Maadi this week, but did not manage to bring home a medal.
Rupert spoke optimistically about their result. “I think for us getting into an A final is good,” he said. “We would like to get a medal next year, that would be the ultimate goal.”
He said he would also like make it to the youth olympics like his brother Rowan, but said he would have to wait and see if he does well enough.
