Two in the Top 10

19/12/2009

Two of Otago Boys’ brightest young sportsmen have been ranked in the Otago Daily Times’ Top 10 performers for the 2009 school year.

Duncan Croudis

Golfer Duncan Croudis (2005-09) is seen as one of New Zealand’s most promising players.

As the ODT reports ‘Grant Waite, Craig Perks, Michael Long . . . and now Duncan Croudis. The Otago Boys’ High School pupil joined some elite company when he became the first Otago winner of the Cobham Cup at the New Zealand under-19 championships at the North Shore club in September. Croudis shot 70 in the last round to win the tournament. He went on to represent New Zealand at the Aaron Baddeley International Junior Championship in China, where he shot a 69 on the final day to finish second in the 17-year-old division. Croudis then scurried home to play for Otago in the men’s inter-provincial tournament, where he was unbeaten and helped his province finish fifth’.

Kane Russell

Joining Duncan in the Top 10 is Kane Russell (Year 12 in 2009), who is adept in both hockey and athletics.

The ODT writes ‘whether it is a hockey stick, a javelin or a relay baton, Kane Russell knows how to handle it. The multitalented athlete had another fine year in his No 1 sport, hockey. He again earned national age grade selection, he was a key player in the Otago Boys’ team that played in the elite Rankin Cup in Dunedin in September, and he made the Southern Men national league side. Russell was also a South Island schools athletics champion in both the javelin and the 4x100m relay, and found time to play for the Otago under-17 cricket team’.

Also mentioned in the next level of performers were Joe Latta (rugby) and Toby Flett (athletics) while high achievers noted were Nick Elder (hockey) and Dominic Shogimen (ice skating).