Summer Blues 2015

---

A Sports Blue is awarded to players or performers who already hold a school representative award and who have also excelled in competition and shown high standards of sportsmanship and citizenship in the activity for which they have been nominated. Congratulations to the following thirty-three boys that were recently presented with a blues award in a summer sport.

A Blue for Semisi Maiai in Volleyball

Semisi has played for the JMC 1st team for 4 years, attended 3 National championships, captaining the team this year at Nationals. He also captained Otago under-17 this year. Semisi trialed and was selected in a 30 man NZ squad in 2015.

A Blue in Boxing for Alex Hanan, Endorsed

Alex is a current NZ Golden Glove Junior champion, being voted best NZ junior overall. In the Australian Golden Gloves he finished top 4. He is in the Otago Academy “Pathway to Podium”. Alex trains over 20 hours a week.

A Blue for Joshua Homersham in Olympic Weightlifting

Joshua is currently ranked no 1 in the South Island and NZ youth division. In the 77kg division over all age groups in NZ Joshua is ranked no 6. He is a real contender to be named in the NZ team to attend the Commonwealth Youth Games.

A Blue in Mountain Biking for Cam McDowell

Cam was overall champion in the South Island Secondary school event and 2nd in the enduro event. At NZSS Cam was placed 2nd overall and 3rd in the enduro. Cam gives service by working on the tracks on Signal Hill and the 3 peaks.

A Blue in Touch for Jimmy Sinclair

Jimmy has been a member of Otago touch teams for many years. This year Jimmy represented NZ in the under-15 mixed team and recently competed in Australia. He is a current member of the under-17 Otago team and helps out with coaching at JMC.

A Blue in Touch for Hunter Cleland

Hunter has been a member of the JMC first team for 3 years. He has represented Otago for many years and has played for the Otago under-15 boys team for 2 years. He was chosen as one of the top 6 boys to go to Nationals in the under-15 mixed team where he won the greatest contribution award for his team. Hunter narrowly missed selection for NZ this year.

A Rowing Blue for Mitchell Parks

Mitchell is the cox for the successful under 17 rowing squad. The quad placed 3rd at SISS championships to then come a very close 4th in the A final at Maadi - this was indeed an incredible result. Like all rowers Mitchell is involved at working bees at the ORC.

A Blue for Woody Kirkwood in Rowing, Endorsed

Woody is one of the most successful rowers JMC has ever had. After being part of the medal winning double sculls crew last year at Maadi, he again enjoyed great results this year. In the singles sculls Woody placed 6th in the A final at Maadi. In the under 17 coxed quad they finished an agonizing 4th. Woody’s potential was recognized when he received a South Island trial for his efforts.

A Rowing Blue for Jacob Cotton

Jacob was part of under-16 quad that placed 5th at Maadi last year. This year he coxed 6 crews that placed top 5 at SISS. He was part of the squad that won the Head of the Harbour trophy. For the past 47 years only Otago Boys had held this Trophy.

A Blue in Rowing for Bradley Leydon

Bradley won a silver medal at SISS in the under-16 singles sculls.

He was part of the under-17 coxed quad that placed 4th at Maadi this year. He also placed 6th in the under-16 singles sculls at the same event. An athlete with huge potential as shown by his 3rd placing in the Otago Erg champs 2014.

A Blue in Rowing for Tom Grave, Endorsed

Tom has enjoyed considerable success in rowing. At Maadi 2014 he achieved a 3rd in the doubles, 4th in the singles and 5th in the coxed quad, under-16. In 2015 he was 4th in the coxed quad and 6th in the under-17 Double. Tom’s ability has been recognized when he was selected to attend the Southern RPC camp in 2014 and in 2015 was selected for the High Performance Centre, junior program, Otago Academy of Sport.

A Blue in Athletics for Wilson Mitchell

Wilson has been co captain of the JMC athletic squad for two years now. He has been heavy involved in athletics at both club and secondary school level. This year at SISS he achieved a 4th placing in both the senior boys 300 hurdles and 2000m-steeple chase. This achievement is made all the more significant by the fact that he has just been diagnosed with a stress fracture to the foot which dates back to February of this year. Wilson is a willing volunteer when it comes to supporting his teammates at JMC.

A Blue in Golf for Ryan Whelan, Endorsed

Ryan was selected for Otago under-16 team last year. The team went on to win gold at the South Island tournament. This year he continues to enjoy much success, placing 2nd in the Balmacewen junior open. Ryan has just completed rounds at the Hills and Millbrook courses as part of the Greg Turner Order of Merit, where the top 12, Otago under-19 golfers compete.

A Blue for Max South in Sailing, Endorsed

In recent months Max has achieved a 12th placing at Nationals, an 8th placing at an International event as well as a 2nd at the South Island championships. This year he has coached the JMC junior team to success at a South Island event as well as helping out at his local club. Max’s potential has been recognized by being named as a ‘Russell Coutts’ prodigy.

A Blue in Cricket for Joshua Preston, Endorsed

Joshua has been a member of the JMC 1st XI since he was in year 9, becoming captain as a year 11. He has played 93games for JMC, scoring 1992 runs and taking 61 catches and 10 stumpings. This year he captained the team to the Gillette Cup final, beating Southland Boys on the way. This year Joshua played for Otago Under-19 team as wicketkeeper. He still finds time to coach Junior JMC cricket sides.

A Blue in Cricket for Tom Sinclair

Tom has played for the JMC 1st XI since he was in year10, playing 65 games and taking 92 wickets. He has taking four, 5 wicket bags and one hat trick. Last year he was equal leading wicket taker with 28 wickets. This year he is leading wicket taker with 50 wickets at an average of 11.68. Tom has played representative cricket from 2008 through to 2013.

A Blue in Cricket for Anjas Bhogal

Anjas has been a member of the 1st XI since he was in year 10. He has been the second highest run scorer for the last two years and this year was the second highest wicket taker. Anjas was selected to represent Otago under-17 this year.

A Blue in Swimming for Han Zhang, Endorsed

At South Island secondary level Han placed 1st in the 100 Breaststroke and the 200 Individual Medley. At NZ secondary school level he placed 2nd in 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, as well as the 400m Individual Medley. Han achieved a string of other placing’s but at open age group he placed 9th in NZ in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. He was duly selected in the long list for the Youth Commonwealth games team.

An Athletic Blue for Oli Chignell, Endorsed

The effervescent Oli Chignell has had another great year on the track. Senior champion and also holder of the mile cup at JMC. Oli also broke the 3000m record at school this year. He went on to win the Otago secondary school 1500m in record time and the 3000m. He completed the same double at Otago/ Southland secondary schools. At the South Island event he won the 1500m in dramatic fashion and placed 3rd in the 3000m.

A Blue in Tennis for Mitchell Sizemore, Endorsed

Mitchell was a key member of the JMC team that placed 4th in the NZ Secondary Schools Champs this year. The team won the Otago title and placed second at the South Island Secondary Schools event. Mitchell won the Otago under-16 singles title this year and teamed up with Carlos Reid to win the Otago Open Men’s Doubles title. Mitchell is a keen contributor off the court, helping younger players with their game.

A Blue for Alexander Timmings in Rowing

Alexander has picked up medals at both South Island club and secondary school level. At SI secondary schools he won bronze in the under-16 double and gold in the under-16 coxed quad. Alex’s has impressive erg results at otago level, winning gold in the 100m and 2km event as well as the 500m relay.

A Blue in Rowing for Lochie Bain

Lochie has achieved medals in Both South Island club and schools regattas. His best performance is a gold in the under-16 quad at SI secondary schools, this year. Lochie was a member of squad that lifted the Head of the Harbour trophy from Otago Boys, the first time in 47 years this has been achieved.

A Blue in Rowing for Ben Morris

Ben achieved creditable results at Maadi this year. At South Island secondary schools he won a bronze in the under-16 double and a gold in the under-16 coxed quad. Ben was a member of the squad that won the Head of the Harbour trophy this year.

A Blue in Rowing for Lochie Chittock, Endorsed

Lochie is an incredibly fit rower. His Otago erg champs results testify to this; 3rd 2km, 2nd 500m, 2nd 100m. This year at Maadi his coxed quad finished 4th in the A final of the under-17 grade. Lochie rates his best achievement as a 4th at NZ Club lightweight doubles.

A Blue in Tennis for Carlos Reid, Endorsed

Carlos is Captain of the JMC tennis team this year. His team won the Otago qualifier, came second in the South Island and 4th in NZ secondary school teams event. This is a fantastic effort by this team. Carlos played number 2 for the Otago men’s team in 2014 and 2015. At under-18 level he placed in the top 8 in NZ doubles championships.

A Blue in Swimming for Ronald Poon, Endorsed

Although Ronald is reducing his involvement in swimming, in this current year his results still meet the criteria for Blues – endorsed. At South Island secondary schools champs Ronald achieved 3 top 5 placings. Ronald also medaled in two relays. He achieved similar results at South Island Club Championships gaining a 4th in the 200m Backstroke in the 17 and over age group.

A Blue in Surf Life Saving for Alex Thomson

At South Island level Alex picked up several gold and silver medals in teams events. As an individual he finished 4th in the under-16 board race. At national level Alex made finals in several teams events. As surf lifesaver Alex performs many hours service for his St Clair club.

A Blue in Athletics for Taylor Mechen

Taylor is key member of the JMC athletic squad as well as helping coach at his Hill City club. Last year Taylor broke the high jump record at our school sports. This year he competed in the long, triple and high jump at Otago and Otago/Southland events. At South Islands Taylor placed 4th in the high Jump.

A Blue in Swimming for Courtland Ellis

At the most recent South Island championship Courtland won 6 medals, 2 silver and 4 bronze. Courtland currently holds 11 South Island records, 10 in the under-13 grade and 1 in the under-15. At the most recent National event Courtland won 6 golds in the 100 individual medley, 200 Individual Medley, 100 fly,100 freestyle and the 100 and 200m Breast stroke events. He also picked up 1 silver and two bronze medals. 9 Medals in total.

A Blue in Rowing for Joshua Smith

At SISS champs this year, Joshua won gold in the under-16 coxed quad. Joshua was also a member of the squad that won the Head of the Harbor trophy this year. This is Joshua’s first year at JMC but he previously rowed for 3 years for his school at Perth.

A Blue in Water Polo for Alex Chirnside

Alex is currently in the Otago under-16 squad that won the South Island Tri series - he has been in this team for the past four years. He has also been selected in the under-19 Otago tournament team. Alex is one of only 3 South Island players to be selected to play for the Harbour City under-16 Division 1 team and has also been selected to play in the upcoming under-18 Pan Pacific Championships. This busy man still finds time to coach and referee JMC college teams two days a week.

A Blue in Surf Life Saving for Nathan Wolf

At South Island level Nathan collected 11 Medals. As an individual he won gold in the under-16 men’s ski race, silver in the under-16 run, swim, run and the iron man. At a National level he won a bronze in the under-16 ski race. Nathan performed over 30 hours of Lifeguarding with his St Clair club over the season as well as volunteering at local events.