South Island Colgate Games
Participation is encouraged more than finding winners. Photo: Neil Wilson.
The 800-strong South Island Colgate Games at Saxton Oval Nelson last weekend included 27 athletes from Takaka. They won nine individual medals and one team medal, a fine effort for the small club. The windy and sometimes rainy weather didn’t stop them from winning medals, breaking club records and setting personal bests (PBs). Some of the highlights follow.
Tyler Palmer won gold in the grade 11 boys shot put (8.51m). He was also 5th in high jump, increasing his PB by a huge 9cm.
Rosie Taylor-Richmond won gold in grade 13 girls long jump. Her huge jump of 5.03m was 19cm ahead of the second place-getter and increased her own club record by 5cm.
Kai Mason’s dedicated training paid off when he won silver in the grade 14 boys shot put (10.95m, a PB by 71cm). He won silver again in discus, throwing 36.96m, adding 2.82m to his PB. He was also 6th in long jump with a PB gain of 24cm.
Tom Bassett-Eason won silver in the grade 10 boys track walk (11.07.59). He was also 4th in discus, where his throw of 22.36m broke Simon Windle’s 1985 Takaka club record. Tom was 4th in shot put and 5th in high jump.
Geena Gross, who had the honour of reading out the Games Oath at the opening ceremony, won bronze medals in the grade 14 girls shot put (10.52m, a new club record and PB gain of 10cm) and discus (27.39m PB gain of 2.96m).
Eddie Johnson won bronze in the grade 14 boys hurdles in 18.05 seconds.
Katerina Clarke remained focused and won bronze in the grade 14 girls track walk (16.40.50).
The other grade 14 boys had a successful meeting. Louis Krasse was 4th in shot put (9.53m PB), 6th in discus (31.83m PB). Alex Chubb was 6th in shot put (PB) and 10th in discus (PB).
Lauren Gardiner endured injuries over the weekend but still ran 6th in the grade 13 girls hurdles and 400m.
Our grade 13 boys did well too. Ari Wells took 23 seconds off his PB in 1500m (4:59.49) and placed 5th. His 8th place in the 800m was a PB by 10 seconds.
Ryley Fleming took more than a second off his PB in the 13 boys hurdles. This put him in the final where he finished 8th. Reece Harvey was 9th in high jump and ran a new PB in the 200m.
Reuben Chubb produced new PBs too and was placed 7th in the grade 12 boys 800m and 8th in the 1500m. Lily Lee was in great form, improving her PBs in the 200m, 400m and long jump.
In the grade 10 boys Kyle Gardiner was 9th in 400m (PB) and improved his PB in long jump. Oscar Chubb was 9th in long jump (PB), and improved his PB in discus.
Georgia Thomas achieved new PBs in 100m, 200m and long jump.
Takaka entered a few relay teams when injuries didn’t prevent them. In the grade 13 mixed medley relay, where there are five different distances to run, Takaka won bronze. The team was: Rosie Taylor-Richmond, Reuben Chubb, Lauren Gardiner, Ari Wells and Reece Harvey. The grade 12 medley relay team of Lily Lee, Kyle Gardiner, Georgia Thomas, Oscar Chubb and Tyler Palmer put in a massive effort and came 7th.
Takaka teams came 5th in the grade 11 boys 4 x 100m relay, and 7th in the 13 boys 4 x 100m. The grade 8 girls 4 x 100m relay (Jessica Childs, Jahnu Rosemeyer and Marie and Jennifer Sampson) did very well for 6th. The 14-year-old boys ran a very strong 4 x 100m relay and finished second but were disqualified for a baton-change mistake.
The seven- to nine-year-olds are the future stars in competition so, at the Colgate games, participation is encouraged more than finding winners. For most of these children it was the first experience of a big event and they did very well.
Marie Sampson threw 14.83m (just 7cms short of the club record and a new PB) and won gold for her division of the grade 8 girls discus. Not to be outclassed by her twin sister, Jennifer Sampson won gold in her division of discus too, with a throw of 14.54m (PB)
Seven-year-old Jessica Childs did well and received silver for the 60m, 100m and 200m sprints and a 4th in long jump.
The grade 9 girls did well. Kayla Harvey won bronze for shot put, 60m and Long Jump (PB)
Mikaela Gardiner also produced a new PB for long jump. Daya Rosemeyer was placed 5th in shot put. Dani McLellan improved her PBs in long jump and discus.
Jahnu Rosemeyer was placed 4th in grade 8 Boys long jump (2.81m PB).
Eli Pomeroy was our smallest athlete at only six years old and had to compete against seven year- olds. He did this with a smile every time. The children said they had a great time and many are now thinking of going to the 2013 games in Invercargill.
Submitted
