Mount Aspiring College enjoyed unprecedented success at the recent NZ Secondary Schools Track and Field champs in Wellington which saw the college take out gold medals in two relay events alongside an individual bronze medal. 

Six MAC students competed at the December event which saw hopeful athletes compete in torrential rain and wind. The students had been training hard under the skilled coaching of Michael and Barbara Beable, producing four individual finalists in sprint events and one semi-finalist. 

Lincoln Bruce, team manager said: “The undoubted highlight came near the end of the meeting in the exciting relay events. After qualifying with the best time in the heats, the baton changes were slick in becoming national champions in the junior (U16) 4x100m and one hour later, in the 4x400m relay events.” 

Both Abby Fisher and Georgie Bruce excelled in heats and semifinals to line up in the same U16 200m final, with Abby coming third in a quality field of female sprinters. Niamh Townsend made it through three qualifying rounds to make the U16 100m final while Scarlett Norman reached the U16 300m hurdles final. Estelle Gellatly ran exceptionally well as a 13-year-old to make the U16 100m semi-finals. Ryan Young competed in long jump, triple jump and 100m hurdles.

The medalists are: Gold in 4x100m relay: Estelle Gellatly, Abby Fisher, Georgie Bruce, Niamh Townsend. Gold in 4x400m relay: Estelle Gellatly, Scarlett Norman, Georgie Bruce, Abby Fisher. Bronze in 200m: Abby Fisher.