STU PIDDINGTON <\/p>\n
Last updated17:38, June 22 2017 <\/p>\n
JOHN BISSET\/FAIRFAX NZ <\/p>\n
Sprinter athlete Anna Hayward is excited to be representing New Zealand for the first time. <\/p>\n
South Canterbury sprinter athleteAnnaHayward is looking forward to her busy schedule at theOceania Area and Combined Events Championships in Fiji. <\/p>\n
Hayward is set to run the 100m and 200m sprints plus the 400m in Suva. <\/p>\n
\"It is really exciting, I can't wait.\" <\/p>\n
JOHN BISSET\/FAIRFAX NZ <\/p>\n
Winter training in all weather has been a hard slog for Anna Hayward, but she was rewarded with selection to the New Zealand team for the first time. <\/p>\n
It the first time the 17-year-old has represented New Zealand. <\/p>\n
She departs on Sunday with her first event on Thursday. <\/p>\n
Hayward's busy schedule could even get more hectic if she is selected in relay team. <\/p>\n
Athletics New Zealand has already invited her to join their expanded relay squad, which trains for major events. <\/p>\n
Hayward has been doing athletics since was 10, but has really come to the fore over the past couple of seasons. <\/p>\n
Her favoured event is the 400m. <\/p>\n
\"I like it as it is much more of a challenge, I am not sure why, but it is a hard race and it takes a bit to recover.\" <\/p>\n
Hayward said she was not sure who she would be up against. <\/p>\n
\"There will be Australians and quite a few of the island nations represented.\" <\/p>\n
Her goal is to put her best foot forward and look to lower her personal best times. <\/p>\n
\"I'm not sure of anyone else'stimes.\" <\/p>\n
Hayward's selection came after putting in the hardworkoverthe winter, which she admitted at time had been quite tough inthe cold. <\/p>\n
\"Mylast competition was the beginning of April.\" <\/p>\n
She was thankful to walker Alice Ritchie, who had at times trained with her. <\/p>\n
Hayward's dedication however saw her pull out of the Craighead senior hockey team to concentrate on athletics. <\/p>\n
\"I wanted to giveit my full focus and didn't want to sustain an injury.\" <\/p>\n
The Craighead runner wasone of 55 Kiwi athletes named to go butis the only one from South Canterbury attending the the five-day championships, which features senior, under-20 and under-18 competitions. <\/p>\n
She has trained six days a week with on Fridays off. <\/p>\n
Coach Grant Lord said Hayward was deserving of selection. <\/p>\n
\"She had worked really hard. It is also great she has been included in the wider New Zealand relay squad, a bit like Jacob Matson was a couple of years ago.\" <\/p>\n
Lord said South Canterbury had a proud record when it came to young athletes going to Oceania. <\/p>\n
\"Anna has kept that going and I am she she will perform very well.\" <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
-Stuff <\/p>\n
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Sprinter Anna Hayward set for Oceania championships - Timaru Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" STU PIDDINGTON Last updated17:38, June 22 2017 JOHN BISSET\/FAIRFAX NZ Sprinter athlete Anna Hayward is excited to be representing New Zealand for the first time. Continue reading