St Paul’s Collegiate School’s athletes were out in force over the weekend at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Secondary School Athletics Championships.
Superstar shot putter Ryan Ballantyne was on form following a record-breaking shot put throw of 19.08m at the Central Zone Athletics championships a few weeks back.
Ballantyne added almost half a metre to his throw at the Waikato Bay of Plenty competition. He threw an impressive 19.28m in the intermediate boys event breaking the Waikato shot put record for the second time and maintaining his position as top five in the world for his age group.
The 16-year-old also entered the discus event, achieving a personal best by throwing 51.74m to win by almost 10m.
It wasn't just Ballantyne who stole the spotlight. Jess Hood, in a dominant front running display, broke the intermediate girls 800m record in a time of 2:11:62.
Mr Martin Homes, St Paul’s Athletics Coach, says Hood’s performance on the weekend only further enhances her reputation as one of the best young female middle distance runners in New Zealand.
Three more title holders for the competition include James Wilkins (open boys 300m hurdles), Lane Tims (junior boys high jump) and Sarah Parker (intermediate girls javelin).
In the team events, the senior girls relay team of Emanae Ferguson, Millie Yarrall, Jess Hood and Maddy Tims won their race. This feat was repeated by the intermediate boys team of Valynce Crosby-Te Whare, Tu’atao Savou, Jack Gordon and Ryan Wilkins. The senior boys team of Sal M’Boge, Jonathon Simpson, Asipeli Mafuataiui and Della Neli also ran well, placing second.
All athletes have qualified to represent Waikato Bay of Plenty at the North Island Secondary School championships in Auckland from 28-29 March.
Other wins for the day include:
- Asipeli Mafuataiui – 2nd 300m hurdles open boys; 2nd senior boys 110m; 4th 100m
- Ryan Wikins – 2nd intermediate boys 400m; 3rd 200m
- Jack Davies – 3rd senior boys 3000m
- Seton Mason – 3rd open boys 300m hurdles
- Jack Gordon – 2nd intermediate boys 100m hurdles; 4th 400m
- Albert Talakai – 2nd junior boys 100m
- Emanae Ferguson – 2nd open girls 300m hurdles; 3rd senior girls 200m; 4th 100m
- Jackson Morgan – 2nd senior boys shot put; 3rd discus
- Maddy Tims – 3rd open girls 300m hurdles; 3rd intermediate girls 200m; 3rd 80m hurdles
- Sal M’Boge – 3rd senior boys 200m
- Valynce Crosby-Te Whare – 4th intermediate boys 100m.
