Young athletes impress at Colgate Games
Marlborough's Colgate Games contingent. Photos supplied.
Marlborough junior athletics is in fine fettle, underlined by a hefty swag of precious metal and pennants at the recent Colgate Games.
Twenty-eight Marlborough athletes travelled south to attend the Games, staged from January 17-19 at Nga Puna Wai in Christchurch.
Their ages ranged from 7-14, with both the older and younger brigades turning in top performances against tough opposition.
In the 11 girls section Marlborough excelled, Georgie Griffiths claiming gold in the high jump, Honor McKenzie winning the 800m and 1500m double, while the 4x100m relay team (Kobe Smidt-Robinson, Honor, Emily Ker and Greta Foote) also prevailed. Honor also came third in the 400m. Greta bagged silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m.
Alyssa Haronga also claimed bronze, in the 13 girls’ high jump.
In the 14 girls section Brooke Goodsir came second in the high jump, Leia Shaw also second, in the 400m, while the 4x100m relay team of Chloe Cook, McKenzie Haronga, Brooke and Leia Shaw finished third.
The younger crew, aged 7-9, achieved numerous pennants and a string of personal bests.
At their first Colgate Games were seven-year-olds Louie Gaudin (1st 200m, 2nd60m; 3rd long jump; 1st 7mixed relay) Tahn Heng (1stdiscus, 1st long jump, 1st 7mixed relay, 2nd shot put) Mackenzie Manu (1st 100m, 2nd 60m, 1st long jump, 1st 7 mixed relay) and Lottie Norton (1st 60m, 1st 200m, 1st 7 mixed relay, 2nd discus, 2nd long jump).
In the eights Mackenzie Wallace finished 3rd in the 200m and 60m and was part of the winning 9G relay team. Tommy Campbell was second in the discus in the 9 boys’ section. Ollie Gaudin (9B) was second in the long jump and 60m and won the 200m. Denver Hart, also 9B, was third in the long jump and second in the shot put.
In the 9 girls’ group, Reeva Macdonald won the long jump and 200m, came second in the discus and shot put, third in the 100m and won the 9G relay. Taylor Rayner (9G) won the shot put and discus, was second in the long jump, third in the 200m and first in the 9G relay. Mila Scott (9G) won the 100 and 200m, was second in the long jump and part of the winning relay team.
The 2026 Colgate Games will be held in Nelson on 16-18 January 2026.