Five A-Final races for Whakatane High School boys
With all first place results, Whakatane High School are through to five A-Final races beginning tomorrow.
The boys of Whakatane High School’s rowing crew have swept into the finals, after finishing first in every race.
They have secured their places in the U15, U17 and U18 double sculls finals and the U17 and U18 coxed quad sculls finals, following their outstanding performances on the water.
The crew of six consists of the Jenkins brothers, Lenny, 17, and twins, Elliot and Finn, 14, David Beukes, 17, Matt Butler, 16, and coxswain Blayne Herberly, 15.
The boys have won every heat, quarter and semifinal they have competed in.
Maurice Butler, Matt Butler’s dad, said the boys’ success comes because they are dedicated, self-driven and are a tight knit crew.
“They work hard training and Graham [Watt] is a wonderful coach, they are really self-disciplined… They train all year round,” he said.
While at Maadi the boys live, eat and camp together at Lake Karapiro.
Compliments come from the loudspeaker when the boys are racing highlighting their effort and achievements throughout the competition.
“It’s the twins that everyone has been talking about,” Butler said.
“The dominating colour is the yellow with the black band.”
Finals begin on Friday at Lake Karapiro and Whakatane High School’s first race is the U15 double sculls, competed by Elliot and Finn Jenkins.
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