College archery hits mark

Mahurangi College archery trophy winners, from left, Melissa Ashton-Leach, Kartini Clarke and Daniel Etzinger.

Mahurangi College student Melissa Ashton-Leach won a national archery title in Parnell last month.The Year 9 student won both the junior girls section and was overall girls champion at the national event on August 8. She won about $850 worth of archery equipment, including a new bow and quiver.

The school took home a total of four medals from the competition – Year 9 student Kartini Clarke came second in the junior girls and Year 11 Daniel Etzinger came third in the senior boys.

Seventeen Mahurangi College students competed in Parnell. School guidance counsellor Tom Dowling started the archery programme at the school about five years ago.

“Every year I’m flooded with students who want to give it a go. It’s a great sport because it provides a level playing field for people with different physiques. We often find Year 7 students can be better than Year 12 students. It also appeals to students who have never been into sports before.”