The Waimea athletics ‘‘cluster’’, which includes Waikaia, Balfour and Riversdale schools, had their track and field sports event in Riversdale on Thursday.
The Eastern Southland district is having various meets in different clusters from which young athletes will progress to the Southland-wide championships, in Invercargill on March 22.
The activities were educational fun for the juniors and competitive for those aged over 7.
Riversdale assistant principal and sports co-ordinator Georgia Callander, who organised the three-school event, said there was only a ‘‘friendly competition’’ between schools.
‘‘I mean, we say right at the start that you’re not competing at the world athletics, you’re just here to do your best,’’ she said.
Before lunch, Riversdale pupil Zac Johnstone had the fastest 60m sprint for the 8-year-olds, clocking in at 10sec flat.
His parents and grandparents were all there to cheer him on.
His mother, Julia Wing, said Zac had always been a fast runner.
‘‘He’s a natural at most sports ... just picks it up and runs with it,’’ she said.
Maisy Jackson, 12, won the 60m and Emma Cruikshank, who was the same age, showed remarkable prowess in the high jump competition.
She said there were only two minor sores that morning — a great improvement from the 14-15 injuries she attended to last year.
‘‘Just a couple of ices on some legs [this time],’’ she said.
