Rotorua pupils return with medals

Mokoia Intermediate's George Snook was the inaugural winner of the Year 8 boys canoe slalom competition at last week's NZCT AIMS Games in Tauranga. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Mokoia Intermediate's George Snook is the toast of his school, returning from last week's NZCT AIMS Games with a gold medal from the Year 8 boys' canoe slalom.

Fellow Mokoia student Pipi Uhl achieved a second in the Year 7 girls' event. It was the first time the sport had featured at the AIMS Games.

Snook has been eskimo rolling since he was five and reckons he hasn't missed one in quite a while. It proved the difference for the 13-year-old kayaker, who won his school's first gold medal.

He needed to hold off a strong challenge from Hastings Intermediate paddler Jack Wilkinson to do it, however, on a freezing but spectacular McLarens Falls course.

Mokoia Intermediate's deputy principal Liz Little said everyone was pleased with the two students' achievements, but also with the efforts of all the students who had travelled to the Tauranga games.

''He is very good, he travels to all the national events and does well,'' she said of Snook.

''But we are proud of all our students who have taken part.''

Also returning from the AIMS Games with a gold medal was John Paul College student Hannah Gape who won the girls' Year 8 multisport race and was second in the year 8 girls' cross country.

Fellow John Paul College student Joshua Balmer won the 200m boys 12 years freestyle and was third in the 100m and 200m individual medley.

Jas Hagan, also from John Paul College, was third in the girls' 10-11years backstroke and the 200m individual medley. Reporoa College swimmer Katelyn Flynn was third in the girls 10-22 years 50m freestyle.

Other results:

Futsal: Rotorua Intermediate boys, second.

Hockey: Whakatane Intermediate beat Taupo Intermediate in the boys' final.

Sevens: Rotorua Intermediate boys, third.

Squash: Manaia Peeti, Rotorua Intermediate, third in the girls' competition.

Basketball - Rotorua Intermediate, third in girls' basketball.

BMX: John Paul College's Megan Williams and Jenna Hastings second and third respectively in the year 7 girls' BMX motos. Williams won the time trial Jenna Hastings third. John Paul College won the School Challenge.