Masterton pair into next round

Two St Patrick's School pupils will be training extra hard before they compete in the next round of school athletics championships.

Rachel Black, 9, finished first in quoits at the Wellington Region Athletics Championship in Newtown last week. "I was really pleased," she said.

Rachel said it was the first time she had competed in the event, and her family and friends were very proud of her achievement.

"They were really happy and excited," she said.

Rachel said she would definitely be competing again next year.

Fletcher Larsen, 8, was first in a different category of quoits, sprints, long-jump and vortex events at the regional athletics competition.

Fletcher, who has an artificial leg, competed in the disability section and said he was "proud" and "happy" to have won.

He said he would be fitting in lots of extra practice and he can't wait for the next round.

Principal Sherry Hughes said she was very proud of the school's athletic achievements.

"For Fletcher, it was a very well-earned award ... he just gets stuck in," she said.

"Rachel's obviously a very talented little girl."

Sports co-ordinator Alyson Potter said both children were prepared and dedicated to their training.

She said both competitors would go to Napier for the next round of competition.