Sprinter outpaces national rivals again

Outstanding Nelson College athlete Brad Kershaw has raced away with yet another national sprint double.

Having won the 100 and 200 metres at the New Zealand Secondary Schools championships in Timaru last December, he ventured further south for the Jennian Homes NZ TF Champs in Dunedin last week.

Representing Tasman, Brad cruised to victory in the U16 100m on Thursday afternoon in a time of 11.17 seconds.

“Initially the time went up as 11.10 but I was still happy with 11.17,” enthuses Bradley, who had also claimed the U16 sprint double at the nationals in Wellington last March. Last Friday he backed up in the 200m and won even more convincingly in 22.67 seconds, a new personal best in his preferred distance.

“The weather wasn’t the best on the second day, so I was stoked with the pb,” says Brad.

The Year 10 student had been working on his starts with coach Sarah Biss after being slow away in one of his wins at the nationals last year.

As there were not enough numbers for heats or semi-finals this year, there was no need to pace himself over his two days competing at the Caledonian Ground.

What is even more remarkable is that Brad doesn’t turn 15 until later this month.
His Dunedin double capped a remarkable four months on the track as he also won his sprints at the Colgate Games in Christchurch in January.

“I did shot put there too, as a bit of fun,” says the Stoke teenager, whose parents Alison and Brent and older siblings emigrated from the north of England to Nelson in 2008.

His upper body strength would have come in handy for the shot put as he mixes gym sessions with sprint, and even hill work.

The 1.75 metre athlete weighs in between75 and 80 kilograms and is more than just a gifted track and field performer.

Between his athletic commitments, he played for the U16 Nelson mixed touch side, which took out the national age grade title in South Auckland last month.
He plays as a link in the side where his speed is a real asset.

His older sister Ellie represented New Zealand in age grade touch when she was just 14.

The speedster is also a winger or fullback in rugby and has been named as a training apprentice for Nelson College 1st XV.

Already there has been the inevitable clash of dates this season with the first college rugby training session being held last Thursday. While he’s quick, the 14-year-old can’t be everywhere.

Brad enjoys the team aspect of rugby which he started playing in Stoke. So are the sports agents already taking interest in the allrounder?

“Not yet, but I am open to offers,” he declares.

Unfortunately, the live stream of the nationals in Dunedin didn’t start until half an hour after his 200m triumph.

If you want to see the speed merchant live, get along to the Tasman Secondary School Track and Field Champs at the Saxton athletics complex next Tuesday.
Brad laughs when you suggest he should probably give his local competition a head start.