As you all went on holiday at the end of Term 4 last year, I had the absolute pleasure of taking 8 talented athletes away to Christchurch for the New Zealand Track & Field National Championships. This was 3 days of fierce competition and I’m sure it is no surprise to you all after seeing them in action during Friday’s Sports Day that our athletes shone both on the track and in the field.

In assebly on Tuesday I was privileged to present 2023 Athletics Blues to three athletes, who were unable to compete in competitions earlier in the 2023 year and therefore were not eligible for Blues at our Sports Blues evening.

The first Athletics Blue was awarded to Jade Wilson. Jade joined us at Otago Girls in Term Two last year, already a proven athlete in the Auckland athletics community. Jade is an accomplished sprinter and hurdler. She is awarded an Athletics Blue for making the final in the Senior Girls 100m Hurdles, being the 3rd fastest qualifier. This is an extraordinary achievement especially as this was Jade’s first year in this age group.

The second Athletics Blue was awarded to Rosie Falcous. You may know Rosie as a member of New Zealand teams in Surf Life Saving but she is also a talent sprinter. Rosie ran PB’s in both her 100m and 200m heats and was a member of the Senior Girls 4x100m relay team who placed 5th.

The next Athletics Blue was awarded to Darcie Evans-Tobata. Unfortunately Darcie was unable to be with us. Darcie was a keen member of our athletics team through out her time at Otago Girls High School and I thank her for this. Darcie ran a seasons best time in her 200m heat and was also a member of the Senior Girls 4 x 100m relay who placed 5th. We wish Darcie all the best as she begins her University studies this year at Otago.

The final award was a Sidey Medal to Catherine Lund. A Sidey Medal is only awarded to athletes who gain National rankings and placings in national events. Catherine is an exceptional international athlete who we have been privileged to have compete for Otago Girls’. Catherine is awarded a Sidey Medal for a 1st place (gold medal) in Senior Girls 3000m and Senior Girls 4K Road Race. Catherine was also named in the NZ Secondary Schools Track & Field team. We wish Catherine all the best for the 2024 season as she trains ready to compete in the World Cross Country Championships being held in Belgrade, Serbia on 30 March. We will all be cheering you on from here!

Other outstanding results included Lisa Lokman, winning a bronze medal in the Senior Girls’ High Jump with a new PB of 1.63m.

Anabelle Batchelor running a seasons best in the Senior Girls 200m, Jessie McGrouther threw a Personal Best in Senior Girls Hammer (39.21m) and Emelia Adamson was placed 5th in the Junior Girls High Jump.