A gutsy and determined run by Niamh Motley to achieve the national title in the 2000m Steeplechase was the highlight of yet another successful campaign by the Craighead Athletics team at the 50th New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Championships held in Christchurch last weekend.
In this jubilee year, Craighead had 15 athletes represent the school against the best in New Zealand and once again results in terms of medals, top 10 placings and personal bests prove that South Canterbury coaches work together to create a hub of development in the sport, despite barriers being placed in their way. With many athletes participating in their first national competition, the pathways and quality of coaching that Craighead receives from a range of coaches, despite the ongoing restricted access to traditional training facilities, was satisfying to those that watched on.
Charlotte Blake ignited the Craighead medal haul on Friday with a bronze in the Junior Girls Discus and then followed this up with a powerful silver in the Junior Girls Javelin. This was complemented in the field by good efforts from Zara Brunton (9th in the Junior Girls Discus and 6th in the Junior Girls Javelin), Orla Motley (5th in the Senior Girls Javelin and 4th in the Senior Girls Hammer Throw), their results placing them in the top 10 in New Zealand for their ages and disciplines. In her first national competition, Lucia O’Sullivan showed what potential she has in her favoured discipline of triple jump, leaping 10.61m to just miss out on a tie for bronze by 1cm, only 25cm behind the winning jump. Sienna Wright also continued her return from injury with a creditable 9th in the Junior Girls Long Jump with a leap of 4.80m in very tricky conditions.
On the track it was undoubtedly Niamh Motley’s calculated strategy and then raw determination to mow down the leaders in a gutsy last 300m that was the highlight. In arguably the most difficult track event (where athletes must run 5 laps of the track, jumping over 5 steeples per lap including the dreaded water jump) combating interrupted rhythm, athlete congestion and fatigue whilst negotiating obstacles, this was Motley’s first national title in her last year at Craighead, a fitting testament to her effort but also her commitment to athletics at Craighead. She has helped develop a warm and welcoming culture for athletes new to the sport.
The promising track team also showed their prowess with some exciting results. Sienna Wright qualified for the semi - finals of the Junior Girls 100m and 200m, Faith Coffin qualified for the semis in the Junior Girls 400m, with Ruby Mahuika finishing a creditable 8th in the final of the same event. Ruby Laming began the wild, wet and windy Sunday with a battling 8th in the 4km road race in conditions that can only be described as extreme. However it was the end of the meet that provided the team with outstanding excitement in the much anticipated relays. In larger schools it is easy to gather together a collection of 4 speedsters with natural gifts over 100m. However the effort and sheer grit required to run 400m, when the allocated lanes evaporate after one lap, takes just a little more and Craighead is developing somewhat of a proud tradition in the 4 x 400m relay. Gathering together a staunch team in the senior girls (S. Wright, N. Motley, O. Motley, Lydia Giles) who finished a creditable 6th, it was the Junior team of Blake, Coffin, O’Sullivan and Muhuika who provided the last moment of elation for the team, with a bold silver medal placing, just being pipped by just 1.5secs after a pulsating 1570m.
A huge thank you to all the coaches, parents and team managers Craig Motley and Gaela Kilgor, who supported our athletes and continue to provide pathways for them to compete on the biggest stage possible, fulfilling their potential. With the national championships being held in Timau next year (from the 6th to the 8th December 2024) we are looking for athletes who may want to be involved so that we can match you with a coach and have the largest and strongest team possible. If you are interested, please contact Mr Jones at jonesan@craighead.school.nz.