New Zealand track cyclist Ellesse Andrews claimed a maiden World Championship triumph after a brilliant ride in the keirin final in Glasgow yesterday.
The 23-year-old grew up in Wānaka and attended Te Kura O Tititea Mount Aspiring College before moving to Cambridge in 2015, when her father secured a coaching job with the New Zealand cycling team.
Mount Aspiring College principal Nicola Jacobsen described Andrews’ win as an "outstanding achievement".
Ms Jacobsen said staff who knew Andrews still remembered her as a passionate athlete with a strong work ethic.
"There’s still a couple of staff around who fondly remember her, and just remember her as a really hardworking young lady."
Even at high school, Andrews was determined to reach her goals, Ms Jacobsen said.
"[She] had to prioritise working hard and training hard over some of the more normal teenaged things ... in order for her to achieve her goals."
For a school of just over 1200 pupils, to have a past pupil become a world champion was highly commendable, Ms Jacobsen said.
Andrews began competing internationally from the age of 16.
