THE Daily Advertiser sports editor Matt Malone takes a look at five Riverina sportspeople to follow in 2017.
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CARLY SALMON
After missing out on Paralympic selection, a devastated Salmon almost gave athletics away.
But the determined 17-year-old bounced back to produce some of the best performances of her career late in the year.
Those efforts have paved the way for an exciting 2017.
At the top of that list is the IPC World Championships in London in July.
She has already ran a qualifying time in the T35 100m and another performance of that quality should see London become a reality.
Hopefully, 2017 will also see her formally recognised with the T35 long jump world record.
CHARLIE PILON
Pilon is back home in Wagga after graduating from Hills Golf Academy in Queensland last year.
What awaits Pilon in 2017 is Michigan.
Pilon has been signed by University of Michigan to a National Letter of Intent for the 2017-18 season.
The 18-year-old spent most of last year as the top ranked junior in Australia and highlighted his ability by winning the Australian Amateur Championships medal.
Pilon is back home for the moment but college golf awaits him later in the year.
BRENDAN MYERS
After winning a premiership and a club best and fairest at age 17, it would be hard for 2017 to top an amazing 2016 for Brendan Myers.
But it can.
The classy Wagga Tigers midfielder will have a busy year ahead with representative commitments but, all going well, it should prove worthwhile.
Myers has the talent to follow in the footsteps of Harry Perryman, Matt Kennedy and so on and become Wagga’s next AFL draftee.
A big year with NSW-ACT and clubs should be knocking the door down to acquire his services.
Griffith’s Nathan Richards is another big chance.
CLARE LAWTON
All eyes will be on the inaugural AFL Women’s competition when it begins in February and Ganmain’s Clare Lawton will be right in the thick of the action.
Lawton was picked up by Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants in last year’s draft and has been busy training with the AFL club ahead of competition’s start.
The 22-year-old is in the Defence Force and continues a long line of talented footballers out of Ganmain, and the Lawton family.
Lawton has been drafted as a tall utility.
RACHEL TRENAMAN
Trenaman is destined for big things.
The Kooringal High Student appears on the list for a second consecutive year but she continues to soar to new heights.
Talented at multi sports, Trenaman shines most at cricket, where she became the youngest player to debut for NSW Breakers at age 15, last November.
Expect to see Trenaman given more opportunities in 2017.
