Last Wednesday, the TAS Field was buzzing with energy as we hosted the highly anticipated Country High Athletics meet. It was a fantastic day of competition and community spirit, as we welcomed over 150 talented student-athletes from Waimate, Fairlie, Temuka, and Geraldine.

Speed, Strength, and Soft Serve: Country High Athletics Day Success

Last Wednesday, the TAS Field was buzzing with energy as we hosted the highly anticipated Country High Athletics meet. It was a fantastic day of competition and community spirit, as we welcomed over 150 talented student-athletes from Waimate, Fairlie, Temuka, and Geraldine.

While the competition on the track and in the field was fierce, a visit from Mr Whippy provided the ultimate "cool down" for our hardworking students—a well-deserved treat after a day of giving it their all!

Track & Field Standouts

Our local athletes put on a stellar performance, securing a massive haul of podium finishes across all age groups.

Boys’ Highlights

• U12.5: Henry Waldie was a force to be reckoned with, taking home 1st place in both the 100m and 400m sprints. Henry Scarlett also impressed with a 2nd place finish in High Jump.

• U14: Dominic Newlands dominated the High Jump (1st) and showed great speed in the 100m and 200m.

• U16: Jaxon Shaw had a phenomenal day, securing 1st place in the 100m, 200m, High Jump, and Triple Jump. Sukrit Timilsina followed closely with strong results in Long Jump, High Jump, and Javelin.

• U19: The senior boys showed their endurance, with Mako Donaldson and Travis Rocha claiming the 1st and 2nd spots in both the 400m and 800m. In the throwing circle, Zack White secured double silver in Shot Put and Discus.

Girls’ Highlights

• U12.5: Paige Hunter took the top spot in High Jump and 2nd in the 400m, while Millie Dodds secured 2nd in High Jump.

• U14: Mila Breetvelt, Kaliyah Wilson, and Nicole McMurtrie all podiumed, showing great versatility across sprints and jumps.

• U19: Hazel Mason was the star of the senior girls, achieving a triple-gold performance in the 400m, 800m, and Discus.

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Aoraki Athletics 

Local Athletes Reach New Heights at Aoraki Athletics Championships

TIMARU – It was a day of high bars and fast tracks last Wednesday as local athletes descended on Timaru for the Aoraki Athletics Championships. The team delivered a series of standout performances, particularly in the field events, where they dominated the vertical jump.

High Jump Specialists Shine

The high jump pits proved to be the most successful hunting ground for the group. Dominic set the tone early in the U15 Boys High Jump, securing 1st place after clearing a height of 1.60m.

The momentum continued in the U16 category, where Jaxon mirrored that success. Also clearing 1.60m, Jaxon claimed 1st place with a dominant performance that saw him finish 10cm ahead of his nearest rival. Sukrit rounded out the high jump success story in the U17 division, jumping his way to a hard-earned 3rd place podium finish. Nicole also added to the team’s tally with what officials described as an "impressive round" of jumping.

Track and Field Versatility

Outside of the high jump, Jaxon was one of the busiest athletes on the field. He showcased his versatility by finishing 4th in the Triple Jump and narrowly missing out on a second podium in the 100m sprint. In a lightning-fast final, Jaxon crossed the line in 4th place, agonizingly close to the leaders—just .3 seconds behind the third-place finisher.

On the track, Noah represented the group in the highly competitive U17 Relay. In a race decided by split seconds, Noah and his teammates powered through to a 4th place finish, holding their own against the top schools in the region.

A Strong Showing

Overall, the group’s performance in Timaru highlights a bright future for the local athletics scene. With two regional titles and multiple top-five finishes, the team returns home with plenty of hardware and even more momentum for the rest of the season.