Over the weekend of 6-8 March, the New Zealand Track and Field Championships were held at Nga Puna Wai in Christchurch. Athletes were selected to represent their provinces, with four CBHS students selected for the Canterbury team – Josh Thiele, Will Chunn, Jack Rodgers and Asher Pettengell-Brand. Another three athletes participated for their clubs – Henry Allott, Tram O’Callaghan and Tom Sellars.

(Pictured above Josh Thiele, below #2 Will Chunn and #3 Jack Rodgers on the podium, in action are #344 Jack Rodgers, #269 Will Chunn and lane 1 Asher Pettengell-Brand).

The first day of competition saw Will Chunn, Jack Rodgers and Asher Pettengell-Brand line up in the heats of the 100m. Will and Jack were both heat winners, while Asher gained a spot in the final due to his being the fastest of the non-automatic qualifiers. Jack Rodgers also qualified for the final of his favoured 400m, after finishing third in his heat.

The attention now turned to the 100m final. As heat winners both Will and Jack rated amongst the favoured few for the event. Brilliant starts by the pair had them up on the pace through the first 50m. At the 80m mark, they looked likely to produce a 1,2 result for school, but they were overcome late by the paralysing late finish of Wellington sprinter Oliver Krijnen. In a close finish Will edged out Jack for the silver medal with times of 11.21 and 11.24 respectively, a fantastic result for the pair.

It dawned a good Christchurch day for Day Two of the championships. It was Josh Thiele that quickly stole the limelight from a CBHS point of view. His leap of 3.83m in the Under 18 Pole Vault securing him the National Under 18 title. Remarkably for someone who is so new to the Pole Vault – having only taken up the discipline this season - Josh’s jump was an 18cm Personal Best and augurs well for his chances at the National Secondary Schools’ in Tauranga later this year. Not content with just this effort, Josh also secured the silver medal in the Under 18 Javelin with a throw of 43.07m, achieved as he juggled running between this event and the Pole Vault.

The Under 18 sprinters turned out next, this time in the heats of the 200m. Up against the favourite for this event, Aucklander Zachary Saunders, Will ran a terrific heat, qualifying second in a good time of 22.74. Jack Rodgers also secured a final’s spot as the fastest non-automatic qualifier. His time of 22.83 seeing him comfortably through to the final. Unfortunately for Jack a troublesome hamstring injury resurfaced forcing him out of the 400m and relays. Asher, only just 15 and running well out of his grade, backed up his superb 100m effort with a Personal Best of 23.25, only just missing the next day’s final.

Later, on day two, Will won a further silver medal as part of the Canterbury Under 18 4x100m relay team, another superb result.

The final day of competition featured Josh Thiele in the Under 20 Pole Vault and Will and Jack in the final of the 200m. Josh was again in the medals, this time a bronze as he jumped 3.65m. While disappointed to not back up his previous day’s performance, it was still a great meet for Josh with his three-medal haul.

It was a star-studded line-up to contest the Under 18 200m final. With his confidence at an all-time high, Will went into the event a realistic medal chance, while Jack, now carrying an injury was just pleased to get to the start line. Both boys did themselves proud producing Personal Bests – Will with a time of 22.50 and Jack with a 22.96 - in finishing 4th and 8th respectively.

We are fortunate to have some gifted athletes in the school at present, particularly amongst the sprinting ranks. It will be exciting to see what both our Junior and Senior teams can achieve later this year at the Nationals. For now though, the attention turns to the School Athletic Sports on Thursday, before prelims for the Canterbury Champs next Tuesday and the Canterbury Champs four days later. 

Results at a glance :

Josh Thiele - Canterbury
Under 18 Pole Vault Champion with a new PB of 3.83m
Under 18 Javelin - 2nd with a throw of 43.07m

Under 20 Pole Vault - 3rd with a jump of 3.65m

Will Chunn - Canterbury
Under 18 100m final - 2nd with a time of 11.21
Under 18 4 x100m relay - 2nd
Under 18 200m final - 4th with a time of 22.50

Jack Rodgers - Canterbury
Under 18 100m final - 3rd with a time of 11.24
Under 18 200m final - 8th with a time of 22.96

Asher Pettengell-Brand - Canterbury
Under 18 100m final - 8th with a time of 11.70. (Asher has only just turned 15)
Under 18 200m - 10th fastest of 18 with a time of 23.25

Tram O'Callaghan - Christchurch Avon - Under 18 3000m - 14th with a time of 10.26.91
Under 18 2000m steeplechase - 7th with a time of 7.23.59

Henry Allott - Port Hills
Under 18 3000m - 12th with a time of 9.44.08
Under 18 1500m - 10th with a time of 4.23.41