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Athletics Day 2018
 

A Real Scorcher!

Mike McGarry —

Records were burnt as this year's sports day saw five long standing records were smashed.

It was a day of lovely weather, fantastic house colours and records tumbling.

The first record fell before the school arrived at 8.45am as Nathan Hill (Park House) scorched around the track to win the 1500m in a time of 4.01 to beat the previous time held by W.K.Darling of 4.04.6 from 1965.

With the house chants ringing around the Caledonian Ground the track and field events began. George Vare Whanau/Aspinal broke two long established sprints records in the U16 age bracket. First to go was the 200m with George recording a time of 22.9 sec. This record had stood since 1958 with E.J Thomson recording 23.3 sec. George then went on to break the 100m in a time of 11.1 sec previously shared by P Cox and J.D Dixon of 11.4 sec.

Cameron Moffitt (Park) was not going to be outdone and completed the sprint double in the U15 age bracket, breaking the 200m in a time of 23.85 sec. In the process breaking P Cox record of 24.35 set in 1998. He then smashed the 100m record setting a new time of 11.26 sec beating the previous record held by J.D Dixon (1995) and I.M.Chandler (1934) of 11.7 sec.

While records were going most other students were competing to the best of their ability also with house points on the line in all events. There was competitiveness, encouragement and lots of enjoyment throughout the day. Well done to everyone for the spirit shown and the effort maintained in hot conditions.

In the end Park House finished 1st, Saxton 2nd, Aspinall 3rd and McIndoe 4th.