Athletes take skills to North Island

A 10-strong group of Marlborough junior athletes travelled to Wellington last weekend for the North Island Colgate Games and returned with their heads held high – plus a hatful of medals and pennants.

Isla Tilbury set the standard, winning the 13 girls 400m and 800m finals in fine style, setting new Marlborough records in both. She added a silver medal in the high jump, also setting a new mark for a Marlborough junior.

Ryleigh Gale also claimed gold, coming from behind to win the 12 girls 80m hurdles, also in a Marlborough record time. She bagged a bronze medal in the 100m and a fourth in the 200m to complete a superb weekend.

Neve Mackenzie finished third in the 13 girls 400m and 800m finals, both won by Isla, then came home second in the 1500m in a new Marlborough record.

Sprinter Brooke Harper showed her speed in the 14 girls section, picking up silver medals in the long jump and 100m, plus a fourth in the 200m.

Austin Ryan claimed a bronze medal in the 10 boys 800m.

Thomas Blackmore competed with distinction in the 12 boys section, claiming fifth in the high jump, plus sixth placings in the 80m hurdles and 400m finals.

Hannah Harper picked up a fourth placing in the 12 girls 100m.

Coming home with a collection of pennants were younger competitors Honor Mackenzie, Brooklyn Smidt-Robinson and Kobe Smidt-Robinson.