TOWER claimed a three-peat in the recent Mount Gambier High School Ian Gould Interhouse Athletics carnival.
Following the successful return of the swimming carnival earlier in the term, students were again given the opportunity to compete against their peers for bragging rights on the track.
Tower put in a dominant performance and the house finished with an impressive 2112.8 points – 532.7 ahead of runner-up Lake.
Gambier finished third with 1485.3, while fourth place went to Mount on 1306.4.
There were plenty of championships events on offer, while the novelty events were a success with high participation numbers across all age groups.
Some houses were even able to fill three teams in several events.
Year 9 student, Monique Doyle was awarded the Craig Elliott Perpetual Award for her record-breaking javelin effort in the 15 Year Girls event.
That award recognises the most outstanding individual performance of the carnival.
Doyle’s performances set a new record of 34.56 metres, which smashed the previous record of 31.9 metres set by Rachel Hines in 2013.
Craig Elliott himself attended the carnival to present the award, which was named in his honour after his outstanding sporting achievements across athletics, cricket and cycling.
There were a total of six new records set in an impressive individual display from the young athletes, while participation levels was another highlight of the event.
“The willingness of the students present to get involved in events, do their best and in many instances achieve personal bests was brilliant,” Mount Gambier High School special sports coordinator Kerran Wingard said.
“It was great to see the Year 7 students get involved in the carnival.
“Their enjoyment was evident in the number of smiling faces across the two days.”
Wingard also gave credit to the driving forces behind this enthusiasm and the smooth running of the carnival.
“Our house captains and vice captains did a fantastic job by encouraging students to compete and do their very best,” he said.
“Their leadership was a highlight of the carnival.
“We are also very fortunate to have willing staff who actively get involved over the two days of competition, officiate and help out wherever possible.
“Their participation in the carnival definitely helps support the students to achieve their best.”
Looking ahead and Mount Gambier High School will compete in the 78th annual South East Zone Athletics Carnival hosted by Millicent High School.
NEW RECORDS:
13 Year Girls 1500m: Layla Hawke (Lake) 6m 06.93s (old record 6m 50.95s); 15 Year Girls Javelin (500g): Monique Doyle (Tower) 34.56m (old record 31.29m); 13 Year Boys Discus (750g): Solomon Htoo (Tower) 23.85m (old record 20.63m); 13 Year Girls Discus (750g): Sienna Van Dooren (Tower) 21.38m (old record 19.69m); 13 Year Girls 800m: Layla Hawke (Lake) 3m 00.46s (old record 3m 07.93s); 13 Year Girls High Jump: Sara Richards (Tower) 1.20m (old record 1.10m).
