Young athletes shine at Colgate Games

An exceptional team performance saw Marlborough's young athletes return from the South Island Junior Athletics Championships in Timaru last weekend with a golden medal haul.

A small contingent of 12 athletes, from seven to 13 years old, collected eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals from the Colgate Games, most managing personal bests in their events.

TC Campbell led the effort with three gold and one bronze medal. He dominated the 12 years boys 100m, 200m and long jump while producing PBs in both sprints and the high jump, where he placed third.

Lucy Sheat also claimed the 10 years girls 100m and 200m titles in personal best times and put in a brave performance to hold on for silver in the 400m.

Jake Southey recorded PBs in all four events he entered, winning the 10 years boys 200m and high jump, finishing fourth in the long jump and making the 400m final.

Not to be outdone by his brother, Tawhiri Kamira-Campbell produced a personal best on his final jump to earn gold in 11 years boys long jump, won bronze in the 100m and placed fourth in the 200m with a PB. He also teamed up with Matt Mackay, Jake Southey and Veli Van Rensburg to complete the medal haul with silver in the 11 years boys 4x100m relay, finishing inside 59secs in both heats and final.

Numerous other athletes made finals and achieved PBs.

Van Rensburg was fifth in the 11 years boys 100m and 200m finals and 10th in the long jump, all in best-ever efforts.

Josh Ludemann put in a determined run for fourth in the year 10 boys 400m while also clocking his best time in the 1500m.

Mackay also set a new best in finishing fifth in the 11 years boys 1500m. He also placed 11th in the long jump to give Marlborough three athletes in the top 11 of a field of 45, all jumping in excess of 4.10m.

Kamira-Campbell, Mackay and Van Rensburg finished eighth, 12th and 16th respectively in the 11 years boys high jump.

Rachael Foote claimed a PB in the final of the 11 years girls 800m and reached the 1500m final.

The younger athletes also shone, though no medals were at stake. Oliver Lawson won his 60m and 100m races and finished second in the 200m and long jump. Finn Southey took third in his pool of the eight years boys shot put and Sarah MacLean did likewise in the nine years girls discus. Amy Mackay also put in strong performances as the only Marlborough athlete in the eight years girls events.

Team managers Steff Southey and Stephen Sheat were delighted with the weekend.

"Fantastic performances on the track and a credit to Marlborough off the track.

"Events like the Colgate Games are great fun, open to all young athletes who are members of athletics clubs, regardless of ability, and are a real chance to make new friends. We'd love to be able to take a larger Marlborough team to Dunedin next year."

Results:

12 boys: TC Campbell – gold 100m (12.70 PB), 200m (25.85 PB), long jump (5.30m); bronze high jump (1.51m).

11 boys: Tawhiri Kamira-Campbell – gold long jump (4.73m PB), bronze 100m (14.0 PB), fourth 200m (29.25). Tawhiri Kamira-Campbell/Matt Mackay/Jake Southey/Veli Van Rensburg – silver 4x100m relay (58.37). Veli Van Rensburg – fifth 11 years boys 100m (14.20 PB), 200m (29.38 PB), 10th long jump (4.18m PB). Matt Mackay – fifth boys 1500m (5.19.19mins PB), 11th long jump (4.15m PB).

11 girls: Rachael Foote – finalist 800m (PB) and 1500m.

10 boys: Jake Southey - gold 200m (29.25 PB), high jump (1.31m PB), fourth long jump (4.20m PB), finalist 400m. Josh Ludemann – fourth 400m (1.11.38mins PB), sixth 800m, 11th 1500m (PB).

10 girls: Lucy Sheat – gold 100m (14.55 PB), 200m (30.92 PB), silver 400m (1.11.52mins).

- The Marlborough Express