Taieri's Sam Gouverneur was the sole Otago athlete to be awarded the Nick Willis scholarship at the Colgate Games at the weekend.
Gouverneur (14) won his age group's 800m race in 2min 06.64sec, and finished second in the 400m race in 53.27sec, a shade behind Christchurch's Sam King.
Outstanding athletes are awarded the scholarship at the annual games, which gives recipients money for sports gear, coaching, travel and other resources to help them in athletics.
The other winners were Tom Cowie (12, Invercargill), Isobel Neal (13, Richmond) and Lily Trotter (14, Christchurch).
About 1000 South Island children aged from 7 to 14, including 252 registered with Otago clubs, participated over the past three days at the Caledonian Ground.
Organising committee chairman Bryce Watts said the event went well and the winners were spread out across all events.
Records have never been kept in the event's history, and for children aged 7 to 9 it is more about participating.
Only 10 to 14-year-olds competed in heats and finals and were awarded medals.
The 7 to 9-year-olds raced in divisions in which the first three finishers were awarded pennants and the rest ribbons.
More than 4100 entries were received before the games started on Friday, a record for the South Island event.
Temperatures reached a sweltering 28degC on the opening day, while the wind kept competitors refreshed on Saturday and yesterday.
About 3000 people a day attended the games over the weekend.
It was the last major event on the Caledonian track before it is replaced in March.
by Robert van Royen
