North Island Secondary School Orienteering Champs – Auckland
The JPC Orienteering Team raced against 400 other competitors in the North Island School Champs, a 3-day event on Aucklands’ wild West Coast. For many of the 15-strong team, this was their first experience of competing on the big stage.
Day one was the Urban Sprint Race held around the AUT campus on the North Shore – a jumble of classrooms, connecting paths, green spaces and walled gardens. Students who managed to maintain good map contact despite all the complexity were rewarded. A good run from Victoria Underwood saw her grab 4th place in Junior Girls.
Day two was a much longer Forest Race held at South Head. This hilly map provided beautiful open running beneath stands of pine and gum trees whilst trying to avoid slow travel through the numerous marshes in the soggy valley bottom. Solid performances by Hayden Billing 5th (Year 7/8 Boys Championship), Doug Monk 1st and Jock Guyton 2nd (Senior Boys Standard) and highlight of the day, Victoria Underwood 1st (Junior Girls Championship).
The third and final day was the team relay event held in nearby Riverhead Forest. A muddy outing where the advice was to avoid bush bashing and stick to the tracks where possible. A superb 3rd place result from our Intermediate Boys Team comprising Harley Brennan, Aaron Pepper and Jeremy Billing.
The Muriwai Beach Surf Club ended up being a fantastic base for the team and it was a pleasure to take every one of them away on this adventure. Thank you also to the wonderful parent support that travelled north to cheer on the team.
Kyle Brennan – Team Coach
Lara Cordonni – TIC
