Dannevirke: Sportsmanship marks schools' meet

Timekeepers and supporters watch a close girls' backstroke final. Photos / Christine McKay

No signs were needed, the cheering said it all - AMP WaiSplash was hosting the Dannevirke interschool swimming championships.

The last swimmer for Ruahine in the junior relay dives into the water.

Ruahine School's winning junior relay team. Sam Stratford (left), Connor Christian, Shona Caswill and Olivia Augustine.

Organised by Dannevirke South School this year, our district's top young swimmers were taking part in fierce competition, cheered on by family, friends and schoolmates.

Huia Range students waiting their turn in the pool. Back: Chloe Hansen (left), Sally Peffers and Tiarah Glanville. Front: Paige Withey (left) and Okeroa Mason-Kiu.

And in a show of true sportsmanship, the loudest cheers were saved for determined swimmers who didn't touch the wall first, but competed with pride.

Country team representatives Tayla Mitchell (left), Bella Bedingfield, Hannah Donald and Chanel Harvey.

The cheering and clapping reached a crescendo during the relays with the junior relay won by Ruahine School, the combined Country team taking out the intermediate and Huia Range School, the senior relay.