Duathlon + exams = top scholarship

Looking for a way to improve your school grades? You could always try combining your study with a little duathlon training.

It worked for Wellington College student Sebastian On, who was one of three boys at the school to win a top scholarship – the premier award – when NCEA scholarship results were released last week.

The 18-year-old earned an ‘‘outstanding’’ scholarship in chemistry, physics, statistics and calculus, as well as a scholarship in biology and physical education, gaining $10,000 each year for up to three years.

With results like that you would be forgiven for thinking On had his head buried in books all of last year. But the secret to his academic success was in his ‘‘balanced’’ lifestyle, which included plenty of socialising and sports, he said.

During the exam period at the end of last year, On was training for a duathlon and believed being fit helped his strong results.

‘‘I’m really keen on fitness and that kind of thing. I play basketball and tennis and swim and run.’’

His advice to other high school students following in his footsteps was reasonably straightforward.

‘‘Work hard, and keep a balanced lifestyle. Just remember you are still a student and you’re allowed to have fun. Try to keep that balance . . . and make sure you stay happy as you work hard.’’

It was humbling to be named as one of the country’s best candidates, On said.

‘‘It was my goal the whole year, so I was pretty stoked.’’

Two others at the school, Oliver Sutcliffe and Yiannis Fam, also received a premier award.

High achievement runs in the On family. Sebastian’s older brother, Nick, was also named a premier scholar and received the Prime Minister’s award for academic excellence in 2013.

This year On will head to Otago University to do first year health science, a precursor to medicine.

2016 PREMIER AWARD WINNERS: Geoffrey Berntsen – Lindisfarne College; Carlos Aguilera Cortes – Auckland Grammar School; Yiannis Fam – Wellington College; In Gyu Lee – Macleans College; Christopher Mayo – Hamilton Boys’ High School; Sebastian On – Wellington College; Kevin Shen – St Kentigern College; Oliver Sutcliffe – Wellington College; Yan Zhang – Kristin School; Yibin Zhang – Macleans College. – Fairfax NZ