These articles are compiled by the Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association which is proudly sponsored by Perpetual Guardian.
Bayfield High School
Talia Ogier has been selected in the South Island under-17 badminton team to compete in the Australasian under-17 championships in Perth in April next year.
The junior boys football team beat Logan Park HS 4-2 in a great final to win the junior reserve grade for the second year running.
Curling was very popular this year, seven teams entered in the Wednesday competition. One of the novice teams, the Wizards, won their grade with a win in the final against Bayfield House Hunters.
Alex Livingstone finished second in the men's artistic level seven in the South Island gymnastics championships on September 7-8
The senior A netballers had a fabulous week at Winter Tournament week in Nelson. They played in torrential rain and rallied together for some great wins against very tough competition.
The badminton girls finished eighth in division one of the NZSS championships in Porirua after facing some very tough top-seeded players.
Blue Mountain College
It was a gutsy effort from the boys under-18 rugby team which was in the finals against King's High School last month. The game was scoreless until the 72nd minute when King's finally broke through the defence to win e 5-0.
The netball season was wrapped up with four out of seven teams coming away with trophies in the Eastern competition. Blue Mountain B was runner-up in second grade, Blue Mountain Development third in third grade, Blue Mountain Yellow first in fourth grade and Blue Mountain Blue first in sixth grade.
Sandra Horrell received the trophy for student coach contribution to coaching.
It was a very successful day at the interschool claybird shoot hosted by Catlins Area School at Puketiro Gun Club last month. Schools that took part were Blue Mountain College, Roxburgh Area School, Lawrence Area School, South Otago High School and Catlins Area School. The BMC team of John Thomson, Tom Davies, Angus McDonald and James Richardson came away with the highest score to win overall. Angus McDonald was the top shooter for the day.
Columba College
Year 13 pupils Joelle Gatenby and Kelly Hoyt received medals at the NZSS weightlifting championships in Wellington last week. Joelle achieved silver in the 55kg weight class, and Kelly claimed bronze in the 59kg weight class.
The first XI hockey team finished second in its pool in the top-tier Federation Cup Tournament in Auckland over winter sports week. After making the top 16 the side had to play eventual tournament winner St. Cuthberts. The team played above expectation and came away in 15th placing overall, equalling its best result at this highly competitive tournament.
The first XI football side competed in the girls tournament in Invercargill, winning four of five games. This was an outstanding record for the team, which lost the crucial game to knock it out of semifinal contention, but finished strongly for a fifth overall.
The senior A netball attended the SISS championships in Nelson. Up against the elements with strong opposition and unpredictable weather, this team played with much passion and pride, lost some crucial games and eventually won the play off for 9th-10th in a tournament involving more than 80 teams.
Kavanagh College
Tournament week is done and dusted for another year, and this year the school performed exceptionally well.
The senior A girls basketball team won the small schools tournament in Greymouth to qualify for nationals. This team was also the local champion and coach Gerard Mullin has done an excellent job with this group over many years. The boys also qualified, finishing fifth in Greymouth.
The girls first XI football team travelled to Invercargill and made it through to the final losing 1-0. This was the side's best finish at a tournament for the girls and should be very proud of its efforts under the guidance of Iris Bugarski and Richard Kerr- Bell.
The senior A netball team travelled to Nelson and finished 10th in the B grade.
The boys first XI football team finished seventh in the Linwood Cup.
The mixed hockey team was fourth in its tournament in Blenheim.
Mount Aspiring College
The girls football team returned from tournament week with a victory, winning the tournament in Invercargill. With only 13 players fit to travel, the team showed its strength, winning all its games.
In Blenheim, the mixed hockey team had a successful tournament, finishing third.
The boys first XI came ninth in the Jim Wishart football tournament.
The A netball team retained its position in the A grade.
In Christchurch, the under-15 rugby team placed in the top four of the second division.
At the school cross-country champs, Ruby Burke won the senior girls title, while Campbell Wright won the senior boys.
There have been several outstanding performances by individual athletes, including Luca Harrington (15) who was third in slopestyle at the Winter Games at Cardrona. Campbell Wright also impressed at the Winter Games, finishing seventh in cross-country skiing and seventh in the freestyle interval race at the FIS Australia New Zealand Cup.
Fiona Murray won the under-21 title at the Canadian Open enduro MTB event and was sixth in the under-19 downhill at the UCI mountain bike champs in Canada.
Leo Staufenberg was second in the under-16 boys at the NZSS duathlon championships.
Georgia Budd has been selected for the Otago under-18 girls rugby team for the second year in a row.
Deia Wolfe and Bella Soper have been selected by their regional teams to compete at the New Zealand gymsports championships.
Queen's High School
The football, netball and rugby teams all competed in Winter Tournament week.
The netball team travelled to Nelson and was very pleased with its improved placing of 16th in its grade. The team player of the tournament was Olivia Gray.
The football team finished 10th in Invercargill and was unlucky not to place higher on goal difference. The player of the tournament was Chloe Wood.
The rugby team played in the Highlander region under-15 10s tournament. Lani Luafitu was the team's player of the tournament with some hard running, strong tackling and great attitude.
Registrations for summer sports have been overwhelming and the school is excited to have seven volleyball, four touch, eight futsal, two cricket, two tennis and a water polo team playing this season.
Eight pupils braved the elements last Friday in the Otago-Southland Get2Go challenge. This adventure racing event includes kayaking, team building, orienteering and mountain biking and uses various Dunedin venues for the event.
The netball teams had some close games on finals day especially the 9A team which played extra time to finally secure its win. Senior White also won its grade and the 10A team was second in another tight encounter.
The senior A basketball team won the senior A grade.
Tokomairiro High School
During tournament week the senior A netball team travelled to Nelson to compete in the SISS tournament. This young team ended the tournament with two wins on the last day.
The boys first XI hockey team finished 11th-equal in the Coaches Cup in Ashburton.
Several players who had been playing for South Otago High School played in the under-15 rugby tournament at Christchurch, placing fifth overall in A grade.
With touch just around the corner, Jenna Griffin (under-16 girls), JD McLeod and Jimmy Flannery (under-16 boys) and Jared Hayes (under-18 boys) have been selected to play for South Otago representative teams.
