It was a weekend to remember for Harrison Edwards, Tyler Halliday and Ryan Clifford who travelled to Taupo to take part in the North Island Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships, finishing the event as team relay winners.
It was a very chilly but ecstatic experience for the first timers and the boys did admit that with all the running they had to do, they were feeling very fatigued by the end of the three day event. They also said that one of the challenges they faced wasn’t so much to do with finding the points or anything like that but actually trying their best to keep warm.
You’d think that they’ve been involved in orienteering for a long time just hearing about their amazing results. But the three students only signed up this year because they heard about it in the notices and thought it might be fun, and with support from their families who travelled with them on a three and a half hour trip to Taupo, the long ride was all worth it because on the Friday, Tyler came 3rd in the sprint, Harrison came 8th in the long championship on Saturday and Ryan came 3rdin the short distance. Then to complete the weekend, the boys competed in the team relay on Sunday and finished in 1st place.
The boys are yet to confirm whether or not they will be going to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships near Masterton in July but say that they would love to go and take on another challenge.
We are very proud of the boys and would like to congratulate Harrison, Tyler and Ryan on their incredible accomplishments and we wish them all the best for Nationals in July if they do decide to take part.
Shontelle Matano
