National championships about more than sport
YOU could have hardly asked for a better weekend at the Caledonian Ground.
The crowds turned out, the weather played its part and the athletes were exceptional at the national secondary school track and field championships.
Beginning last Friday and running until Sunday evening, 1305 athletes from around the country gathered to compete for junior and senior titles.
Alongside them, a similar number of supporters, parents, coaches and teachers turned out.
By Sunday afternoon, the grandstand was full, the fence along the home straight packed and the banks wellpopulated too.
On top of that, a group of around 200 volunteers had been involved in organising the event.
Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association regional sports director Nicki Patterson was thrilled with the event and said it had been a ‘‘buzz’’ to host the championships.
It had been almost a year since the organising committee first met to begin planning.
She said it was great to host events of that calibre, Dunedin having also hosted the South Island secondary schools netball championships this year.
‘‘It’s not only about the sport, it’s about the experience the students have when they go away.
‘‘It comes with the city and particularly the support from the polytech — that showcases opportunities for tertiary study too.
‘‘I think that’s really important in all this.
‘‘On the other side, it’s great for our local athletes. They don’t have to fork out to go to a North Island event.
‘‘Also so their parents, friends and teachers can come and watch without having to leave town.’’
While head winds had made recordbreaking difficult, there were plenty of classy performances.
Otago athletes had shone, claiming 28 medals over the course of the weekend.
There were also genuine worldclass youth athletes from around the country on show.
That included Westlake Boys’ High School’s Connor Bell — the world’s top under18 discus thrower.
Other Youth Olympians Hannah O’Connor, Kayla Goodwin, Murdoch McIntyre and Dominic Overend also starred.
In the junior grade Rosmini College’s Jayden Williamson set a high jump record of 2.01m, while Whanganui Collegiate sprinter Genna Maples won five gold medals.