The Columba College Aerobics Team competed at the NZCAF regional competition in Dunedin at the weekend.

On Saturday, 27th and Sunday, 28th July the Columba Aerobics Team competed at the NZCAF Regional competition held in Dunedin. Heats were held on Saturday and finals on Sunday. At Year 7 and 8 level we have three students compete in the intermediate individual pre-choreographed event – Madison, Logan-Ferris, Emillie Matthews and Charli Sinclair. This was the first competition for these three students and they took to the stage with confidence and showed great stage presence. After the heats, Madison and Charli competed in the final on Sunday with Charli placing second and Madison third. Madison then went on to compete in the group section with Meg Cameron and Francesca Macready and Charli and Maggie Murdoch competed in this section as a duo. The trio of Madison, Meg and Francesca took out the title with the duo placing second. Fantastic results by our intermediate competitors. All five of these competitors have qualified for nationals.

At the year 9 and 10 level, Bridgette Sutton placed 5th in the pre-choreographed individual event, then she and Emily Ung competed in the pre-choreographed group section, placing third. Brooke Duncan competed in this Secondary Novice Individual grade also, displaying energy and using the floor well. Josephine O’Halloran placed third in the Junior Secondary Open individual after a very energetic display.

Then onto our senior students. Isabella Geytenbeek competed with a group of students in the Senior Fitness team. This team was polished, energetic and had obviously worked hard to ensure the finer details of their routine were well rehearsed. Amaya Leslie formed part of a duo to compete in the FISAF senior duo. This duo improved from heats to finals, to give an entertaining performance.

Finally, our two aerobic coaches – Emma McCaughan and Olivia Ferris. These two students spent so much time organising their athletes that it was amazing to see them with so much energy in their routines. Emma and Olivia both competed in the Senior Secondary Open Individual grade. Olivia placed third (much to her surprise) after her routine and Emma placed fourth. The pair then combined to compete in the Senior Secondary team event, which they won! They have performed this routine so many times that it looked seamless, effortless and they displayed such great strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness and they had great stage presence. Emma and Olivia have been fantastic with the girls – coaching, motivating, mentoring and encouraging them. They helped with leotards, make up, hair, stage presence and their parents were instrumental in the success of the team – thank you Janine McCaughan and Karen Molloy!

The team now look to Queenstown in September where they will compete in the national finals.