College athletes make their mark

Students from Mahurangi College and Rodney College took part in a range of sports during Winter Tournament Week, held earlier this month.

Continuing their good form after winning the Harbour Grade 1 tournament the previous week, Mahurangi College’s boys’ hockey team claimed the Olympic Stick Tier 4 title in Pukekohe, beating Botany Downs 3-1 in the final.

The result saw Mahurangi finish top of a 13-team competition and reach the tournament final for the first time in 12 years.

The school’s equestrian team also produced strong results at the North Island Championships in Taupō.
Ashley Russell finished first and second in two different tests in the dressage category, while Abi Lonergan competed in two different show jumping classes in the 90cm–1m category, winning both.

The other Mahurangi College equestrian team members were Florence Walker, Breanna Walker, Eva Morrison, Darcie Sheer, Zailie Rawlings and Avana Rawlings, all finishing among the top six in their respective competitions.
Two other teams won silver medals.

The girls’ hockey team reached the final of the Chica Gilmer Tier 3 Tournament in Albany, finishing second after a 4-2 loss to Macleans College, while the senior girls’ underwater hockey team also finished runners-up at the NZSS Nationals in Rotorua after losing 2-0 to Wellington Girls’ College in the final.

Podium finishes continued with the boys’ rugby team finishing third at the Rugby by the Beach Tournament in Papamoa. After losing their semi-final to Mount Maunganui, they secured the bronze medal with an 8-7 win over Te Awamutu in the third-place playoff.

The boys’ football team also claimed bronze at the Trident Satellite Tournament in Rotorua, finishing third out of 32 teams. They lost 3-2 to Rutherford in the semi-final before beating KingsWay 2-1 in the playoff for third place.

Other Mahurangi College teams also competed across the week, with the junior open underwater hockey team finishing ninth, the under-19 girls’ basketball team 12th, the girls’ football team 12th, the girls’ netball team 17th and the boys’ basketball team 24th.

Rodney College was also represented at Winter Tournament Week by its senior basketball and netball teams.

The basketball team finished 16th at the A Premiership Basketball Nationals in Rotorua, recording two wins during the competition.

It was their first tournament under new coach Dominic Miringaorangi.

The team suffered a setback when captain Joaquin Hare played in the opening game but was later ruled out of the tournament after rolling his ankle.

The Rodney College netball team featured players from Year 10 through to Year 13 and finished 12th out of 32 teams in the D Grade at the Upper North Island Secondary Schools Tournament in Hamilton.

The school also farewelled its Year 13 players Kacey Williams, Mackenzie Oldfield, Bella Wade and Millie Brierly.