The New Zealand National School Track Championships took place in Cambridge from 12 to 13 July, and a number of Southland riders were crowned overall national champions in their divisions.
After two days of intense competition, Finn Edwards (James Hargest College) was crowned U15 boys national champion, Caitlin Kelly (Verdon) was crowned U16 girls national champion, and Marshall Erwood (James Hargest College) was crowned U17 boys national champion.
Southland riders also stepped onto the podium in a number of other divisions, with Lachlan Kelly (Verdon) taking second overall in the U14 boys division, and Ciara Kelly (Verdon) third overall in the U20 girls division.
There were also a number of riders to finish in the top five in their divisions, with Poppy McIvor (Verdon) fourth overall in the U14 girls division, Riley Faulkner (James Hargest) fourth overall in the U15 girls division, Jessica Spencer fifth overall in the U20 girls division, and Tom Kerr (Verdon) joint fifth in the U17 boys division.
The overall results are calculated based on finishing position in numerous events across the two days of competition, including a scratch race, keirin, and tempo race.
Team events were also contested during the championships, with a number of Southland teams making it through to the medal rounds.
In the U20 girls team sprint, Verdon (Alana Breen, Caitlin Kelly, Ciara Kelly) took second, while James Hargest College (Charlie Tinoai, Conrad Clark, Marshall Erwood) took third in the U20 boys team sprint. There was a third place for James Hargest College (Zadie Scott, Riley Faulkner) in the U16 girls team sprint, while Southland Boys High (Liam Ramsey, Magnus Jamieson) took fourth in the U16 boys team sprint. The U20 boys team pursuit squad from James Hargest College (Charlie Tinoai, Conrad Clark, Hunter Thompson, and Marshall Erwood) took fourth.
Many of the riders will now have only a brief respite before taking part in the second round of the National Track Series, also taking place in Cambridge, from 16 to 18 July.