Marlese Schoonderbeek makes her way down the athletics track at Thursday’s Ashburton College Athletics Finals. Photo Katie ToddThe felling of a 37-year-old record was the highlight of Ashburton College’s Athletics Finals Day.

The 3000-metre record for under 19 boys has stood since Bruce Gabites set a time of nine minutes and 30.1 seconds in 1981, but the freakishly talented Taonga Mbambo took care of that and then some.

On his way to victory, which also saw him wrap up the title of under 19 boys’ champion, Mbambo set a new mark of nine minutes and 24.8 seconds.

Mbambo won the division over multisport star Matthew Clough.

Sophie Adams also claimed a new Ashburton College record when she set a new shot put mark of 10.87 metres, usurping the previous best distance of Sala Bueta of 10.69 metres, set in 2015.

Adams took out overall honours in the under 16 girls’ competition too, beating Jessica Grey.

An age group up from that pair, Emma Stagg was the champion senior girl, seeing off the challenge of Emily Armstrong and Natasha Waddell, who couldn’t be split for second placing.

Lochlan Deuart won the under 16 boys’ champion title from Ben Donald, Kyle Cabangun was the under 15 boys’ champion over Phoenix Andrew, Mia Pearson beat Tara Mellish to the under 15 girls’ champion title while the junior age groups were won by Kaleb Leonard and Ella Pearson respectively.

House honours for the day went to Blue House with 209 over Green on 201, Orange with 181 and Red on 174.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 3 March 2018