A team of 11 Columba College athletes set off to Invercargill to brave the elements and take on the best of the best in the South Island.

There was a tangible sense of excitement as we traveled down in convoy. We set up the School Marquee securely to deal with the forecast wind and settled into the fine accommodation at Balmoral Lodge.

There was much excitement, some squealing and standing on chairs on Saturday morning as a mouse was found in one of the units. But quick thinking and teamwork meant that the rodent, which was quite sizeable, (definitely as big as a thumb) and fast-moving were cornered, captured, and released into the wild. Only to return on Sunday! Being a South Island-wide event competition was fierce and old rivalries rekindled. Our team competed across 30 events. 7 athletes secured top-three finishes across 12 events and broke a number of school records in the process. In total the team achieved a top-eight finish in 26 events. Altogether a highly successful athletic meet. The detailed results are listed below.

Alexa in Year 12, was the only athlete competing on Friday and set a great example as she secured 3rd in the U19 hammer. As it turns out this was the first of 4 exceptional results for Alexa, who managed 2 first-place finishes (discus and javelin), broke two school records (discus and shotput), and two 3rd place finishes overall - Well done Alexa! There was more throwing success to come with Kiana in Year 10, who finished 3rd, with two personal best efforts in both discus and shot put.

We also had success on the track: Lila in Year 11 improved on the 44-year-old 800m record that she broke in December, by taking another 2 seconds off, a new personal best, and came 3rd in a tactical 1500m race. Meanwhile, the jumpers had a string of top performances from Imogen in Year 11 in the triple jump as well as Shanti of Year 10 and Heidi of Year 12 in the high jump who all came 2nd. Tila in Year 10 secured 2nd place at the long jump, with her final effort in a tightly fought contest.

The event was rounded out by the U15 4x100 team coming a credible 3rd. All the more impressive as two of the runners had to run a repeat of the 200m final 30 minutes prior. 

Performances of note (top 3 finishes and/or new school records set):

• Alexa (U19) Javelin = 1st, 40.62m, Discus = 1st, 40.01m, a new school record. Shotput = 3rd,12.64m, a new school record and Hammer = 3rd, 35.53m
• Kiana (U15) Discus = 3rd, 28.64, (PB) and Shotput = 3rd, 10.08 (PB)
• Lila (U15) 800m = 4th, 2.27.41, a new school record and 1500m = 3rd, 5:12.35
• Imogen (U16) Triple jump = 2nd, 9.55m
• Shanti (U15) High jump = 2nd, 1.55m
• Heidi (U19) High jump = 2nd, 1.45m
• Tila (U15) Long jump = 2nd, 4.79m
• U15 4x100 relay - Tila, Lyla, Kiana, Shanti = 3rd, 53.60

In addition to these performances, many of our athletes qualified for finals secured top 8 finishes, and achieved personal bests in the last event of the season.

Lyla (U14) put in two PBs and a highly competitive 6th and 4th in the 100 and 200, respectively.

Imogen (U16) backed up her triple jump with 7th place in both the long jump and 100m.

Shanti (U15) added to her high jump with a hard-fought 6th and 4th in her 100m and 200m respectively.

Sadye (U14) worked quietly, but effectively through her first champs securing 6th in both her 200m and 400m and 13th in her 100m.

Harlow (U14) sought dispensation to compete, she may have given away a year in age, but not in attitude and maturity, competing as a U14 she secured 12th in the long jump and 13th in the 200m.

Tamai (U14) secured 14th in Shotput.

Tila (U15) backed up her long jump with a 7th in the 200 and 8th in the 100, in two very fast finals.

Heidi (U19) re-emphasised her jumping credentials with a 6th in both the long jump and triple jump.

Congratulations to all the Columba athletes, a stunning weekend of results, you can be incredibly proud of your efforts. We now look forward to the National event in Christchurch, in December.

We are grateful to team manager Jen, parent helper Kylie, track manager Simon, unofficial team photographer Malcolm, and Markham for helping with the marquee. The weekend would not have run so smoothly with you. 

Full Results:

• Lyla: 100m 6th, 13.25 (PB), 200m 4th, 27.29 (PB)
• Imogen: Long Jump 7th, 4.53, Triple Jump 2nd, 9.55, 100m 7th, 13.27
• Shanti: High Jump 2nd, 1.55, 100m 6th, 13.56, 200m 4th, 27.95
• Sadye: 100m 13th, 13.99, 200m 6th, 27.65, 400m 6th, 67.27
• Harlow: Long Jump 12th, 4m, 200m 13th, 29.81
• Tamai: Shotput 14th, 8.30
• Lila: 800m 4th, 2:27.41, new school record, 1500m 3rd, 5:12.35
• Tila: Long Jump 2nd, 4.79, 100m 8th, 13.97, 200m 7th, 29.28
• 4x100 U15 Relay Team: 3rd, 53.60
• Kiana: Discus 3rd, 28.64 (PB), High Jump 4th, 1.40, Shotput 3rd, 10.08 (PB)
• Alexa: Discus 1st 40.01, new school record, Hammer 3rd, 35.53, Shotput 3rd, 12.64, new school record, Javelin 1st, 40.62
• Heidi: Long Jump 6th, 4.64, High Jump 2nd, 1.45, Triple Jump 6th, 9.81