Colgate Games athletes return with medals
Colgate Games athletes, back row: Louise Nalder, Marco Symmons, Danyon Fleming. Centre: Rosie Taylor-Richmond, Ryley Fleming, Cara Wells, Lauren Gardiner. Front row: Ari Wells, Kyle Gardiner, Mikaela Gardiner, Racheal Nalder. Photo: Supplied.
Takaka athletes won three medals and posted plenty of personal best performances at the recent Colgate Games in Timaru. Eleven Golden Bay athletes attended the games, which attracted 900 under-15 athletes from around the South Island.
Lauren Gardiner retained her last year’s title, winning gold in the 11-year-old girls 400 metres. Her time of 1 minute 6.30 seconds was five seconds better than last year’s. Lauren also finished fourth in the discus and sixth in the 1500 metres, with a personal best time of 5 minutes 49.39 seconds.
Rosie Taylor-Richmond won bronze in the 11-year-old girls long jump with a jump of 4.24 metres. She also posted personal best times in the 100 and 200 metres.
Danyon Fleming won bronze in the 1500 metres with a time of 4 minutes 50.84 seconds, beating his personal best time by 21 seconds. Danyon also placed sixth in the 800 metres with another personal best time.
All members of the team put in fantastic efforts, with Ari Wells gaining seventh place in the 1500 metre run with a personal best time of 5 minutes 20.18 seconds, and eighth in the 800 metre run with 2 minutes 38.83 seconds. Marco Symmons made the semi-finals of the 200 metre run with a personal best time of 28.12 seconds. Louise Nalder was placed tenth in the shot put with a 7.41 metre throw. Personal bests were also achieved by Cara Wells and Ryley Fleming.
In the under-10 age groups, participation is encouraged, though times and distances are not recorded. Sashes are awarded for wins in divisions of events. Kyle Gardiner won silver in the 60-metre run, and bronze in the long jump. Mikaela Gardiner won bronze in the shot put. Racheal Nalder also put in a tremendous effort.
The athletes would like to thank all the people who supported them in their fundraising ventures to get to the games.
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