Sporting spirit triumphs at college athletics champs

With cheers and hoots from his school mates, Scott Lockhart powered over the finish line of his 1500m race.

The 16-year-old was the first on the track this morning - jumping on the spot, giving himself a pep talk and eyeing up the track ahead of him in the blazing sun.

Dressed in a black cap, a red polo shirt, and shorts, Scott competed in the first race of Mount Maunganui College's athletics championships at Tauranga Domain.

The teenager, who has autism, had never entered a sporting event before but decided he wanted to complete the race after watching Lightning McQueen in the animated Disney movie Cars.

Scott and the other contestants quickly took off on their first lap of the domain's field.

Staff members and students cheered Scott on as the runners made their way around the track.

Year 13 student Drew Callingham ran with Scott for most of the race.

He was not friends with the younger student but had seen him around school.

He saw him at the starting line and ended up staying with him and encouraging him, particularly after the two started the last leg.

"He said he couldn't go on, just on the last lap, so I pushed him to finish," Drew told the Bay of Plenty Times after the race.

Scott might not have achieved his aim of winning the race, but his father Paul Lockhart was very proud.

"If you are going to do it - do it big like Scott," he said. "It's absolutely fantastic."

Mount Maunganui College student Scott Lockhart, at the beginning of the 1500m race. Photo/John Borren

Mount Maunganui College student Scott Lockhart, right, competing in a 1500m race, with Drew Callingham. Photo/John Borren

Physically exhausted after the race, Scott said he was good but admitted he "almost died" during the heat.