Te Aute Athletic Sports

Te Ao Hou, September 1968, Page 52

Te Aute Athletic Sports ‘Silence,’ ejaculates the sonorous voice of Mr Waitai. Immediately silence falls. Looking around, I can see the nervous faces of the next runners and hear their deep breathing while the sprinters wait, crouching like wild cats ready to leap for their prey. They wait for that sharp crack of the starter's gun. Gina looks calm and collected. Peter does too. The other three are not so relaxed. Then, ‘On your marks!’ Bottoms go up. ‘Set! Go! !’ Gina leaps forward like a black panther, and Peter follows close behind. It looks like a close finish. The spectators cheer them on. The spikes pierce the ground as the sprinters come thundering down the hundred yard track. Gina is a nose in front of Peter. The tape looms up closer. The raucous voices of the boys cheer them on madly. Then with an extra burst of energy, Gina passes the finishing line in first position, followed by Peter. What a grand race to start off the day. The spirit of the Athletic Sports at Te Aute is very good. Every boy, whether he's fat or skinny can enter a race. The boys look forward especially to the handicap races. Every boy feels great when he's earned a few points for his house. Of course the most exciting races of the athletic sports are the house relays. The organizer of the sports is Mr Dwyer who keeps things running in a smooth fashion. He rather reminds me of one of those cool-cut American film directors who wear expensive suits and smoke thick cigars. The field events are interesting. The big brawny boys try their hand at putting the shot. One record is broken in this event by Kent Lambert. In the discus I am third and am rather pleased with myself and rather surprised too. Every year there is always a good reception for the high jump. This year's winner is Gina Tekulu. He stands there concentrating and looking seriously at the bar as if to say, ‘I'll tell you who's master.’ Unfortunately he doesn't break that record, but equals it. In a way I'm glad, because that record still belongs to a Maori. Finally the relays arrive. There is great excitement among the boys. They prepare to race: lane one, Ngarimu; lane two, Rotene; lane three, Ngata; lane four, Tatana. All is silent. ‘Bang! !’ Off go the first runners. Gina of Ngarimu House sprints out in

front to try to get a good lead. After the next two changes Rotene is right behind Ngarimu. Gradually Rotene takes the lead. Questions shoot through my mind. ‘Was it wise of Gina to run first? Will Rotene drop their baton?’ and so on. Across the field I watch the baton change. Rotene is still in front, but alas, one of their runners drops their baton. Immediately, joy fills my heart and we once again take the lead. What a thrill! I wait for the baton. Eddie stretches out his arm. Quick as a wink, I snatch the baton and down the straight towards the tape I sprint proudly. What a race! It is the best and most thrilling one of the lot. We embrace and pat one another on the back, knowing that we have won the Athletic Sports, so we boast and laugh with the other boys. We prepare for the march past. The first house is Ngarimu, then Rotene, Tatana and Ngata. Proudly, Joey Baker our house captain, marches in front carrying our green flag, leading the procession of athletes dressed uniformly in black and white. Our house leads the way to the presentation area. After all are assembled, the junior, intermediate and senior champions come forward to be congratulated. For the juniors, Joseph Khan; intermediates, Kent Lambert, and seniors, Gina Tekulu. Next come the house captains. What a splendid occasion this is to end our annual Athletic Sports, and especially thrilling for Ngarimu House. Frank Heperi, Form V, Waihi