College take NZ title

Wairarapa College were a class above their rivals in the final of the mixed section at the national secondary schools dragon boat championships in Auckland over the weekend.
After winning all three of their heats in impressive fashion they eclipsed their opposition in the decider by 3secs.
Their time of 1min 19secs was equal to that which Shirley Boys High from Christchurch took to win the boys division and only 2secs off the fastest time recorded at the championships.
Coach Dan Grace said the Wairarapa College squad of 10 boys and 10 girls, all of whom are year 12 or year 13 students, had taken a couple of races to become attuned to the calmer water in Auckland from what they generally experienced in training sessions at Henley Lake in Masterton.
But by the time of the final where they were up against Upper Hutt College, Kaipara High School, James Cook College and Heretaunga College all was in order for a top-notch performance.
"We knew we could win?.it was just a matter of getting a good start and going from there," Grace said.
And get a good start Wairarapa College did , taking the lead early in proceedings and steadily increasing their advantage.
"It was our best effort of the day, no doubt about that," Grace said. "Absolutely everything went according to plan."
Their success in Auckland came hard on the heels of the Wairarapa College team winning the premier title at the Wellington secondary school championships for the fifth successive year and was a further tribute to their dedication and enthusiasm.
"They have a very professional attitude?.they've worked really hard to get this far," Grace said.