Opunake rises to the challenge
After coming close for a number of years, Opunake High School has taken out the prestigious Hillary Challenge.
Taranaki secondary schools were again in top form at the 2012 event, at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre at Tongariro, with Opunake claiming first place and a combined New Plymouth Boys’ and Girls’ High schools team finishing second.
Friday’s final result was a reversal of last year’s placings and was Opunake’s first win after placing second in 2007, 2008, 2011 and third in 2010.
A large crowd gathered to welcome its winning team home on Saturday afternoon and a special assembly will be held today.
Matt Lash, head of physical education at the school, said the team had been training hard since January.
‘‘It was pretty thrilling for the team to be honest. It was great to finally get the result,’’ Mr Lash said. ‘‘It all came together this week for us nicely.’’
Mr Lash said the school would definitely be back to defend the title next year.
‘‘The kids were already talking about it.’’
The five-day event includes two days of problem-solving and challenges involving kayaking and high ropes, a two-day expedition in the bush where competitors have to carry all of their equipment with them and locate checkpoints, and ends with a 51km multi-sport race.
Team member Daryl Read said they put everything into the event.
‘‘It was very challenging, everyone was there for the same reason – to go hard and win,’’ the 17-yearold said.
Read said the team knew the Opunake community was behind them.
‘‘It kept us pushing and striving forward.
‘‘We knew that the whole community was backing us and to come back to a massive crowd cheering us on the front lawn was awesome.
‘‘It is good knowing that we did the community proud,’’ he said.
Principal Maria Potter spent the final day at the event and was there to see her team win.
‘‘I was incredibly excited but incredibly proud of them as well,’’ Mrs Potter said.
She said the entire community had been involved in fundraising for the challenge.