AN amazing 16 records were smashed on Friday by Westport High School students at the annual athletics carnival.
Twelve year-old Samantha Hayes was the outstanding athlete, breaking four records. Samantha took 34cm off the long jump record, which stood at 4.49m since 1984. She then went on to add 4cm to the high jump record of 1.32m set in 1987.
Samantha’s two other records were the discus, which she broke by an amazing 2.8m, and the triple jump, which she broke by 80cm.
Not content with four field records, Samantha then took to the track and won the 1500m in her age group in a time of 6 mins 51 secs. Because this was the first time this event was run in the 12 years girls, this now stands as the school’s record.
Jessica Hayes, Samantha’s sister, also broke a record of her own in the 15 years 800m by 34 seconds. Jessica, too, set the new school time in the 1500m by winning that in 2 mins 58 secs. This was also a first-time event.
Samantha and Jessica are the cross-country champions in their age groups this year.
Mitchell Stevenson was the outstanding male athlete on the day. Mitchell broke three records – the 1500 by one minute, the 800m by eight seconds and the triple jump by 5cm. Mitchell is the 14 years cross-country champion.
Eight other records disappeared on the day. These went to: Max Ingram, 15 years 1500m by 27 seconds; Tahlia Sheather, 13 years 800m by 20 seconds; Albertine Mulabah, 16 years 800m by 9 secs; Bryson Hamilton, 16 years 800m by 3 secs; Jamie Balding-Little, 13 years triple jump by 0.92m; Declan Elford, 13 years discus by 1.71m; David Anderson 15 years shot put by 8cm and Courtney Anderson, 17 years triple jump by 0.47m. Courtney was also only two seconds off breaking the 800m record as well.
Sports organiser Ben Johnson said he was very happy with how well the students performed.
“To have so many records broken was amazing,” Mr Johnson said.
