Taonga Mbambo has continued his hot form for 2018 with another big record. Photo suppliedOutstanding Ashburton College long distance runner Taonga Mbambo set a new record for the under 19 men’s 3000m at the Aoraki Secondary Schools’ Sports this week.

Mbambo hustled around the track in 9.03.65, finishing a full minute and 17 seconds ahead of the second placegetter. It was one of three records set at Aorangi Park in Timaru during the day, which featured athletes from secondary schools from Ashburton to Waimate.

Mbambo’s record for the under 16 boys’ 3000m, set last year, was one to fall but he made up for it with the stellar run in his new age-group. He was also second in the 1500m.

AshColl athletes chalked up 18 firsts and Mt Hutt College seven throughout the day, with the best athletes qualifying for the South Island Secondary Schools, Championships on March 23-25.

In the under 14 girls AshColl’s Ella Pearson won the 800m and 1500m and came second in the 400m, while Lusunga Mbambo won the 200m and the high jump.

Mia Pearson won the under 15 girls’ 80m hurdles and the high jump, while in the under 16 grade Sophie Adams won the shot put by more than a metre. She was also second in the discus and third in the javelin.

Emily Armstrong was the star of the sprinters, winning the under 19 girls’ 100m, 200m and 400m and helping AshColl take second in the 4x100m relay. Emma Stagg won the long jump and triple jump.

For the boys, Fononga Lisale won the under 14 javelin while Kyle Cabangun won the under 15 100m. Ben Jackson took out the under 16 high jump while Ben Donald won the javelin.

In the under 19 grade, Keegan Gentle won the 100m from team-mate Elyh McKibbon.

Anthony van Asperen won the 200m and 400m for athletes with a disability, while Delta Taeauga won the shot put and discus.

For Mt Hutt College, Briana Gaze-Inia won the under 14 triple jump, while Courtney Elliott won the under 15 3000m and Monique Johnson the triple jump. Faith Scott won the under 16 high jump with a leap of 140m.

Jack McKenzie took out the under 14 1500m and 3000m titles, while Charlie Brown won the under 15 triple jump.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 17 March 2018