School athletes shine at NZ champs

Marlborough athletes James Hansen and Isla Tilbury came away with medals from the 50th jubilee New Zealand Secondary school track and field championships staged at Nga Puna Wai in Christchurch on December 8-10.

James competed in the senior boys’ division, claiming a national title in the 300m hurdles in a time of 38.12, while adding bronze medals in the 110m hurdles and pole vault. His efforts earned him selection in the NZ secondary schools team to compete in the classics tour next year.

Isla finished second in the junior girls 400m with a new personal best time of 58.34.

Neve McKenzie was fifth in the junior girls 1500m and eighth in the 3000m.

Brooke Harper set new PBs in both the senior girls 100 and 200m events, finishing 15th in the 100m and 16th in the 200m. She also came 11th in the long jump and 14th in the shot put. Hannah Harper placed 22nd in the junior girls 100m and 20th in the 200m, also with PBs in both.

Ryleigh Gale came home sixth in the 80m hurdles, with a PB, and ninth in the 300m hurdles while Cullum Rayner finished 10th in both the 3000m road race and his heat in the 1500m.

The junior 4x100 relay team of Ryleigh, Isla, Neve and Hannah finished fifth.