Records tumble at secondary schools cross country
The Southland Secondary Schools crosscountry is possibly the hardest running championship to win. It
features speed specialists 800 and 400m runners, middle distance 1500 and 3000m performers, longer
distance and steeplechase experts, top triathletes not to mention rugby, netball, hockey or whatever
exponents willing to explore their fitness
In short, runners need a bit of all the above – speed, endurance and strength – to succeed.
The champs were, as usual, held at Ivon Wilson Park, Te Anau, and included enough ups and downs and
tricky sections to test the runners.
Caption: Jade Hamilton (2nd), Kennedy Taylor (1st), Zara Mackley (3rd). Photo: Stacy Taylor
Kennedy Taylor (was by far the most dominant runner on the day, winning her senior girls 4k by over 3 mins,
an enormous margin for a championship race and taking an impressive 1 min 40 off the race record. This
adds to the U14 and U16 records she owns
A recent slump in form had the SGHS student doubting her ability, thinking a top 5 finish a possibility. But
the convincing win set all doubts to rest, appearing to be back at her winning best that has in the past
bought medals in national T & F, schools T & F and crosscountry and triathlon championships
Unfortunately Sammy Fookes (WHS), the one girl capable of pushing her, had to withdraw thanks to Covid.
Sammy’s presence would have made the race more interesting but in all probability the result would have
been the same considering the way Kennedy took charge of the race from the beginning.
James McLeay was almost as dominant in the U16 race, running 13.58 for the 4k and taking 4 seconds off his
own record from last year. Wakatipu HS teammates Siena Mackley and Jude Deaker established new
records as their U15 grade was run the first time this year. Certainly the records were automatic but the
Caption: James Mcleay. Photo: Stacy Taylor
pair made sure their times will be hard to beat in future years. Jude also has the U14 record from last year.
Watch these two: they are sure to be stars of the sport in the not-too-distant future.
While not establishing records, Milly McFadzien (Girls U14), James Weber (boys U14), Kimberley Iversen
(girls U15) and Ben Scott (boys over 16) impressed with their wins. McFadzien’s time was also a record in
the now abolished U13 grade.
Fiordland College was the best performed school overall in the team competition, winning three of the eight
grades.
U14 Girls 3k
Milly McFadzien STPG 11.57
Jorgia Tucker SGHS 12.03
Bea Christie JHC 12.34
U14 Boys 3k
James Weber Waka 11.05
Hudson Roy Menz 11.12
Lewis Blay JHC 11.13
U15 Girls 3k
Siena Mackley Waka 11.42
Tessa Cubitt CSC 12.56
Pippa McAtamney Waka 13.25
U15 Boys 3k
Jude Deaker Waka 10.21
Tom Schenk Waka 10.41
Ryan Lane For 11.11
U16 Girls 3k
Kimberley Iversen JHC 11.45
Mackenze Napier GHS 12.40
Katie Lawrence JHC 13.11
U16 Boys 4k
James McLeay SBHS 13.58 (R)
Ollie McKenzie GHS 14.46
Caleb Diprose Apar 14.54
SG 4k
Kennedy Taylor SGHS 15.30 (R)
Jade Hamilton SGHS 18.31
Zara Mackley Waka 19.07
SB 5k
Ben Scott JHC 18.17
Ethan Friend SPG 19.11
Josiah Ashman Menz 19.22
