Columba aerobics athletes compete at NZCAF nationals in Queenstown.

The NZCAF Aerobics Nationals were held in Queenstown on Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd September. Columba College was represented by a group of 12 students competing in a range of age groups.

Heats were held on Saturday, with all Columba students qualifying for finals (top 5 and top 6 in some cases) the following day.

Finals on Sunday began at 10am for our Intermediate Pre-Choreographed individuals, Charli Sinclair and Madison Logan-Ferris. Both students put on high energy, skillful and fun routines. Charli eventually placed 4th in this category and Madison won the category. Madison also won the trophy for the Most Promising Pre-Choreographed Intermediate Athlete!

Charli and Madison then joined their respective teammates to compete in the Intermediate Pre-Choreographed Teams event. Charli and Maggie Murdoch were up first and showed excellent timing, energy and they looked like they were having a really good time! Charli and Maggie (MC squared) placed 4th in the final. Madison joined with Francesca Macready and Meg Cameron to make up MnM & Freddo. They were well coordinated, smooth moving and showed good energy and placed 3rd in the final.

Bridgette Sutton competed in the Secondary Pre-Choreographed Individual heats on Saturday. She used the stage well and showed excellent flexibility and good technical skill. Despite not making the final on Sunday, Bridgette was ranked 6th after the heats, which is a fantastic achievement.

Bridgette paired with Emily Ung in the Secondary Pre-Choreographed Teams event. This team (The Bees Knees) were ranked 3rd after heats, but they really brought their A game on Sunday and ended up placing 2nd after an energetic and their best performance yet.

Jo O’Halloran competed in the Junior Secondary Open Individual Grade. She gave an energetic performance, smiling continuously and showing a great level of skill. Jo placed 4th in the final.

Emma McCaughan and Olivia Ferris competed in the individual section of the Secondary Senior Open. Olivia made it through to the finals and showed a great level of skill and energy with Emma just missing out at 6th place. After they all had competed, Olivia placed 5th. The two then combined to compete in the Senior Secondary Team event and gained 3rd place. Great results!

Amaya Leslie combined with a student from St Hilda’s to compete in the FISAF Senior Duo. The duo combined well to show a good level of strength and power. The duo placed first in this section.

Isabella Geytenbeek combined with a number of students from St Hilda’s to compete in the Senior Secondary Fitness Team event. Their choreography was fun to watch and they looked to be having a really fun time. This team took out first place in this category.

Overall it was a very successful weekend for Columba College Aerobics. Emma McCaughan and Olivia Ferris deserve a special mention. They coached the girls three times per week at school and they also helped with their leotards, make-up and generally being great role models for the younger girls. Karyn Molloy (Olivia’s Mum) spent absolutely hours doing the girls hair, helping with their make-up and helping with the scheduling of everything. The event would not have been as successful without her.

Finally, a thank you to the wonderful parents who were there for the weekend. It was a team effort to keep everyone fed, watered, awake, asleep, transported, etc. In particular, thank you to Mrs Murdoch for helping with the supervision of the girls at the accommodation and at the event.

It is time now for the girls to have a bit of a break from Columba Aerobics. But look out for us at the Sports Awards next term!