These articles are compiled by the Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association (OSSSA), which is proudly sponsored by Perpetual Guardian
Otago Boys' High School
The Otago Inter Collegiate Golf Tournament was held in very windy conditions at Chisholm Park on March 18.
OBHS fought hard in the final against Wakatipu High School, finishing second overall.
The best scores came from Joseph Hancock (75) and Jacob Bellamy (79).
Highlight of the day was Joseph getting a hole in one on the par three No10 - one bounce and into the hole. This is his second hole in one at the age of 13.
The stand-out performance from the weekend was from Max Brown at the Otago-Southland athletics championships. He broke the under-15 triple jump record by a massive 52cm to set the new mark at 12.14m. Max also won the high jump, placed second in long jump and was fifth in the 200m final.
Nathan Hill broke the under-16 1500m record to set the new record at 4.07.86. He now holds both regional secondary school records, along with Max.
Grason Veitch won the 13-14 years 125-250cc class at the 2016 Interschools Motocross Championships. In beating Waitaki BHS by 238 runs in the zone final of the NZ First XI Cup, OBHS qualified for the NZ finals for the fifth time in the past six years. These will be played in December, at Lincoln.
For the first time the zone finals involved six teams from throughout Otago-Southland. Based on results from 2015, the school was seeded directly into the semifinal, playing Southland BHS.
Kavanagh College
On March 23, the first XI cricket team travelled to Oamaru to take on old foe St Kevin's in the annual first XI cricket match. St Kevin's won the toss and chose to bat first.
Kavanagh College had St Kevin's in early trouble at four for four wickets. Nick Parata and Josh Lucas did the early damage, but a middle order partnership helped steady the ship for St Kevin's and it eventually made its way through to 106 all out.
Parata took four wickets, Lucas two wickets, and Will Campbell, two wickets, doing the damage with the ball. In reply, Kavanagh got off to a steady start. Anthony Mirfin continued his good form, working the ones and defending well.
Sam Smith was aggressive for his 21, and Lucas showed good maturity finishing 24 not out to anchor the innings for Kavanagh. A little mid-order collapse got a few nerves jangling but Kavanagh got home seven wickets down.
It was a good end to the season for the boys and they are looking forward to next season, knowing they have introduced a few new players into the squad.
The under-15 rugby team was lucky enough to play at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Otago Anniversary day, against the visiting St Edmond's team from Ipswich, north of Brisbane, Kavanagh College winning 52-7. It was a great experience for the team and management.
Queen's High School
Hayley Kettings was rewarded for her committed training regime with a silver medal in the South Island school championships in the single scull on Lake Ruataniwha.
All rowers are now ready for the season's finale at Maadi Cup. Not having enough riders for our own equestrian team, Cate Davidson rode with the OGHS team at the Taieri District Pony Club Secondary Schools Teams Event.
The team was first but Cate second overall in the 85cm class, after completing her jumps, dressage and games.
Lara Wall, Zoe Thomas and Emma McCulloch recently had a trip to Auckland, where they played football in the National Club Tournament for under-17 players.
The Queen's softball team was pleased with its second placing in the secondary school slow-pitch competition, as it plays in a grade with only one other all-girls team.
It is not just school sports teams which are benefiting from sporting activities at Queen's. In addition to the Interhouse Wednesdays, earlier in March the Sports Council ran a Sportstacular including community and family members.
Teams of six played darts, bowls, volleyball, futsal and dodgeball before a quiz and barbecue. This encouraged some non-sports participants to get moving and it was a chance for all ages to just ‘‘play''.
Winter sports are beginning to encroach upon the tail-end of the summer sports season, which continues until the end of term one.
Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain College had 21 pupils qualify to compete at the recent Otago Athletics. Top three performances from three students were as follows: Laura Weller (under-14) high jump 1, long jump 2; Mikairi Beauchamp-Moore (under-14) javelin 2; Aisha Bain (under-15) 400m 3, long jump 3, Kaitlyn Baxter (under-16) discus 3, Georgia Thomson (under-16) long jump 3, Hollie Kelly (under-16) javelin 2.
Outstanding jumping and throwing from year 11 student Rachael Kummer (under-16) earned her a first in long jump with 4.29m, second in high jump at 1.53m, first in the discus and third in the javelin.
Thirteen pupils returned to the Caledonian for the Otago Southland Athletics, achieving awesome results: Weller, high jump 3; Beauchamp-Moore javelin 3; Bain, 400m 3; Matthew McKee (under-15) discus 3; Kelly, javelin 2; Thomson long jump 2, 300m 2.
There was another stellar performance from Kummer with a throw in the javelin of 31.34m to record first place. She was also third in the high jump, long jump and discus.
Congratulations to the NZCT Girls' cricket team, which defeated Wakatipu High School and St Peter's College in the semifinal and proceeds to the Otago-Southland final this week, against St Hilda's College.
At the recent Otago-Southland water ski championships, Blue Mountain College was third out of 13 teams. Tom Hancox was first in the under-16 championship section, Natalie Candy was third in the under-16 non championships and Jack Johnston was also third in the under-16 non championship sections.
Columba College
The rowing crews had their best results in 10 years at the recent South Island Championships. Twenty-two rowers attended the championships, winning a gold medal in the lightweight coxed four, with crew members Sara Griffin, Heidi Wright, Sophie Anderson, Millie Wright, and cox Margot Darling.
The under-18 novice eight claimed a silver medal and the under-18 coxed four a bronze. Well done to all rowers and coaches who have shown huge commitment. These results bode well for Maadi Cup next week.
The senior A touch team had a great result, placing third at the South Island championships. It beat Rangi Ruru 9-3, Marlborough Girls' 10-4, St Margaret's 6-4, drew 3-3 with Marlborough Girl's and lost to eventual winner Southland Girl's 7-5 and 5-3. The team has eight junior players, so the future of touch is very promising.
At the recent Otago and Otago-Southland athletics events, Ellie Duncan was very impressive, breaking two records at both events. Ellie claimed three titles at the Otago event and five titles at the Otago-Southland meeting, in the 300m hurdles and 400m (records), 200m, 100m and 4x400m relay.
Meg Breen also impressed, winning three titles in the U15 100m and 200m and 4x400m relay. Fifteen athletes have qualified for the South Island event in Timaru.
The Senior A and Junior A netball teams are heading to Australia in the April holidays to participate in the International Netball Festival on the Gold Coast and this will be great pre-season netball.
Mount Aspiring College
School events have dominated term one, The swimming sports and athletics days both attracted large numbers to compete and to earn house points. Many records were broken at both events.
At the swim sports, records were broken by Wilfred Spearing (14-15yr backstroke) and Jack Findlay (12yr freestyle). MAC swim champions for 2016 are:11 & under: Emily Findlay, Benjamin Silipo; 12 year olds: Emily Heath, Jack Findlay; 13 year olds: Jasmine Murray, Tom Heather; 14-15 year olds: Jaime Toepfer, Gregor Findlay; 16 & over: Madi Oakes, Janus Staufenberg.
Several records were broken on athletics day:Hugo Smith: 400m year 8; Zoe Smith: 400m, 800m and 1500m year 8; Ryan Schmack: shot put and triple jump under-14; Jack East: 100m, 200m and 400m under-14; Adam Breen: 100m under-16; Gregor Findlay: 800m & 1500m under-16; Latisha Halcrow: 200m under-16; Samantha Burke: 1500m Over 16; Janus Staufenberg: 800m and 1500m over-16.
MAC athletics champions for 2016 are: Year 7: Scarlett Norman, Hugo Smith; Year 8: Abby East, Zach Smith; Under 14: Laura Neale, Ryan Schmack; Under 16: Latisha Halcrow & Mia Treadwell-Burke, Adam Breen; Over 16: Laura MacCulloch, Janus Staufenberg.
The next school event for Mount Aspiring College students is the mountain bike champs, which will be held at Deans Bank on April 13.
