Students
Waka Ama
Wellington East Brings Home Gold
Wellington East Girls’ College Waka Ama under 16 crew successfully defended their national title at last week’s national secondary school’s waka ama regatta.
The talented teens won gold in the premier event, the 250m sprint beating out their closest competition by half a boat length at Lake Tikitapu in Rotorua.
The gold completed the set of medals for the girls, who also took out silver in the 500m event, and a bronze in the 12 man double-hull event in which they competed with Wellington College’s six man waka ama crew.
This is the second year in a row the Wellington East girls’ W6 crew has taken gold.
“We were a bit gutted to miss out on the gold in the 500m event, so we came out firing in the 250m event,” said team member Acacia-Viva Omeri.
“It was a tough week – but in the end the windy conditions on finals day favoured us – because we are used to training in Wellington! We were stoked to win against some of the top teams in the country,” said Acacia.
Wellington East sent a total of four crews to the nationals, with the second junior W6 team making plate semi finals for both the 250m and 500m events, and for the double hull 12 man event, for which they combined with Shirley Boy’s High school from Christchurch.
The two senior Under 19 teams also fared well in their events, with the first senior crew finishing 6th in their championship semi final for 500m, and second in their plate semi for 250m – narrowly missing the qualifying time for the final. In the 12 man double-hull event, the first senior crew combined with Rongotai to finish 6th in the plate final.
The second senior crew narrowly missed making the bowl final, finishing second in their semi final. They also made the bowl quarter finals in the 500m event. In the combined 12 man double hull event, in which they combined with a crew from Rongotai they finished sixth in the bowl final.
Teacher in charge of the girls, Ameriai Kiriwera, was thrilled with the performance of all crews at the national event.
“Given the limited training the girls were able to fit in before nationals – we are really proud of their efforts. To bring home three medals, and compete so well in all other events is a credit to the girls and their coaches,” said Ameriai.
The girls will get a chance to share their victory with the whole school at a special assembly later this month.
Team lists:
Junior A (WEGC White): Osheanya Kopa, Briar Barnsley, Acacia-Viva Omeri, Holly Nicholas, Wiri Allen-Murray, Ngaere Hauiti-Parapara
Junior B (WEGC Red Zone): Toni Owen, Whena Munn, Ana Tupangaia, Manuea Metuariki, Areta Ward, Stevie-Lee Topia
Senior A (WEGC Blue): Latu Clark, Valeria Mendoza-Davis, Mamaeroa Munn, Phinie Malir-Crawford, Taria Williams, Cereace Wallace
Senior B (WEGC Round the Outside): Ihipera Rimene-Sproat, Ripeka Retimanu, Loren Svensek, Saige Taia-Fisher, Huia Toia, Jessica Harris
Special thanks to Restaurant Associates and New World for their generosity and support during the squad’s fundraising campaign.
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