Collegiate end school champs with gold rush

TRIPLE GOLD: Max Attwell crosses the line to win the 4x100m gold for Wanganui Collegiate and his third for the meeting at the NZ Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships at Cooks Gardens.PHOTO/ROB VAN DORT MAX-ATTWELL-WINS

WANGANUI Collegiate athletes saved the best for last when claiming more gold at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Track and Field and Road Race in the city at the Weekend.

Geordie Beamish was in a class of his own on Sunday morning, easily winning the 3000m final to extend his unbeaten record in distance track events since October 2013. He then teamed with Max Attwell, Harry Symes and Josh Ledger to win the 4x400m senior boys relay in a quick 3m 21.67s.

The time were the third fastest in 46 years of secondary school competition.

Collegiate runners also hold the second fastest time after Auckland's Sacred Heart runners beat them in the same event last year.

Collegiate coach Alec McNab said the school also boasts the fifth fastest time in history.

After also winning gold in the 300m hurdles at the weekend Attwell teamed with Charlie McCartin, Symes and Ledger to add the 4x100m title.

"Max Attwell's performances were impressive. He claimed three golds over the weekend, winning the 300m hurdles, and then played a part in both relays, while Charlie McCartin got bronze in both the 300m and 110m hurdles," McNab said.

"Collegiate finished the meeting with six gold and six bronze, while several other athletes were very close to podium finishes," he said.