“Get out, and do some activities and find a sport that you like” was Year 8 student Tyler Halliday’s message to all those kids who spent their holidays on the couch or on their devices.
Tyler and another Year 8 student, Harrison Edwards, took part in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Orienteering Champs during the holidays in Masterton. There were 3 different races over the 3 days including the long, short and the relay. The duo raced against kids from all over New Zealand.
They firstly competed in the sprint which was held at Rathkeale College and placed 6th overall. Tyler also finished 9thout of 38 Year 7 & 8 boys from around the country.
The following day they competed in the long championship where they had to make their way through the muddy and wet forest and farmland. At the end of this race, Tyler came 8th and Harrison came 12th. .
On the final day they took part in the relay and, due to the fact that they only had two boys instead of three, they were forced to compete as a composite team. But because there were no other boys to fill the 3rd spot, Harrison and Tyler ran the last leg of the race together.
They didn’t let the fact that they were outnumbered stop them from achieving and they ended up recording the fastest time over the 3 legs and came 1st overall.
Unfortunately, because they were a composite team, the first place finish didn’t count but how they embraced the challenge and managed to do so well was still something to be pleased with considering the muddy and unpredictable weather conditions that saw Tyler at one stage fall in some stinging nettles.
Tyler and Harrison continue to reach new heights, competing in multiple competitions quite frequently and enjoy keeping active in a sport they love.
Shontelle Matano
