Juniors dominated the Waitaki sports awards presented in Oamaru last night, when 17-year-old cyclist Dylan Kennett took the top award after winning the men's title.
Kennett's efforts on the track at New Zealand, Oceania and junior world championships, where he picked up two bronze medals, were hard to beat for the Oasthouse Liquorland Sportsman of the Year and then the top Network Waitaki Sportsperson of the Year title.
His 2011 performances demonstrated the makings of a future star and a cyclist to watch in the coming years, judges said.
Kennett beat fellow nominees including Mike Sandri (multisport/triathlon), Blair Grant (athletics) and Healey White (snooker).
Sport Waitaki co-ordinator and event organiser Kate Cartwright said the awards celebration was a night to recognise not only the finalists and winners, but the achievements of all sports people in the district.
The Redpaths Sportswoman of the Year was won by kayaker Courtney Kerin, who also won the junior category at the 2010 awards. Kerin spent the majority of 2011 competing overseas, gaining a silver medal at the world championship freestyle kayaking event in Germany.
Other finalists included Nicole Meikle (netball), Isobel Ryan (swimming) and Johannah Kearney (rowing).
With juniors doing well in the overall awards, the Placemakers Junior Sportsperson of the year was incredibly competitive.
Sprinter Megan McPhail won the award after her success in the 100m and 200m events throughout the year, including the New Zealand secondary schools championships.
Coach of the Year went to Shane Jones, for his work with both junior and masters swimmers. From seven meets attended by the Waitaki swimmers in 2011, the squad brought home a total of 42 gold, 39 silver and 42 bronze medals.
Three school teams were selected as finalists for the Wilsons Sports Team of the Year.
The Waitaki Boys' High School trapshooters and its 4 x 100m relay teams narrowly missed out to the St Kevin's College girls' rowing eight crew's performance at Maadi Cup, with top-three placings in both the under-17 and under-18 finals.
The Hi Flo Plumbing award for the top Waitaki athlete with a disability went to athletics star Holly Tangney (nee Munro) for her efforts at the Paralympic national track and field championships in November, where she won silver medals in both the shot-put and discus.
Long-distance runner Sania Smit won the Milligans Food Group Award for veteran of the year. Smit spent 2011 competing in events all over New Zealand in the lead up to the pinnacle of all events, the New York Marathon, finishing with a time of 3hr 46min for a top-20 finish in the 55-59 years category.
With countless hours of service to several junior sports, Karolyn O'Conner was honoured with the Sutherland's, Denis Birtle's Memorial Services to Sport award for her work in touch, hockey, rugby and swimming, in roles ranging from coach to administrator and referee.
