Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC) athletes had an outstanding weekend at the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) national touch and athletics championships from December 9-December 11.
BDSC’s premier mixed touch team had their most successful result yet at the NZSS national touch championships in Rotorua.
The team won all eight of their round robin games which saw them progress into the top four playoffs.
BDSC faced Christchurch school, St Andrew’s College in the semi-final where they prevailed 9-6 to make the final of the tournament.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, falling short of first place after a loss to another Christchurch school in Rolleston College 8-6.
BDSC led for most of the match with some great tries by Jo-Andrew Taramai-Remo and Kiritea Te Reo after an amazing step by Dylan Reuben-Menzies.
Despite disappointment for falling short of the gold medal, BDSC can be proud of their silver medal achievement from a young team full of potential for the future.
Year 13 student Bailee McDowall was named Mixed Female MVP of the tournament.
It was also a very successful week for BDSC athletes at the NZSS athletics championships in Palmerston North, coming away with a haul of medals.
Douw Bates won the school’s only gold medal over the weekend, being crowned champion of the senior boy’s javelin event.
Ben Blundell and Noah Retford also had successful weekends, being awarded both a silver and bronze medal each.
Blundell was awarded Silver in the junior boys’ long jump and a bronze in the junior boys’ high jump.
Retford took silver in the junior boys’ 100 metre hurdles and bronze in the junior boys’ 300 metre hurdles.
Great performances from Aidan Platts, Evie MacLennan, Savannah Atoaga and Blake Platts too, despite horrendous weather conditions.
Despite horrendous weather conditions, all other BDSC athletes who travelled to Palmerston North; Aidan Platts, Evie MacLennan, Savannah Atoaga and Blake Platts performed well.
