Another golden performance from Sadler

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Five races, six gold medals.

No wonder Gisborne Athletics Club member Jack Sadler is feeling “pretty good” after his Colgate Games performances in Hamilton and Dunedin over the past two weeks.

The Campion College student — Year 10 this year — was once again the stand-out sprint athlete in the 13 years boys’ division of the South Island games.

Following on from his golden treble at the North Island games in Hamilton, Sadler added another three medals to his collection — gold in the 100 and 200 metres, and silver in the 400.

He won all three in personal best times at the North Island games in Hamilton the previous weekend.

Conditions did not favour lowering those times but he was still a dominant force.

Sadler won the 100m final in a time of 11.91 seconds after posting 12.24 in his heat.

He clocked 24.10 for his heat of the 200, 24.21 in the semifinal and 24.60 in the final.

He qualified sixth for the 400m final and despite having the less-preferred outside lane, was second in 55.34 — 0.55 behind the winner.

Sadler, the son of Mangapapa School principal Paul and Campion College teacher Karen, said he was “a bit tired” but “feeling pretty good” about his Games efforts.

He acknowledged the input of Hawke’s Bay-based coach Emma Akeripa and the benefits of trips to Hastings to receive coaching from her on top of a training programme.

Sadler said he had improved significantly over the past year and was looking to continue that and compete in more events this year.

A keen rugby player — not surprisingly he’s a winger — Jack will have a week off before getting back into training with a focus on a couple of major meets including the North Island secondary school champs in April.

Sadler’s Colgate Games results echo those of former Campion College student Yarride Rosario, who went on to star on the track for St Pat’s Town in Wellington and represented New Zealand, including the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore.