Two national selections, one small town school
“To have two from the same school and the same training squad is kind of incredible,
Two Central Southland College pupils have been named in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics squad for its inaugural tour to California in April.
Ollie Davis and Connor Gilliland were both announced in the 16-strong named on Monday.
Both are coached by Lance Smith in Southland, with Smith saying Ollie’s dad Cameron Davis also playing a big role in their development.
Smith was delighted for the two Year 13 pupils at Central Southland College, which is located in Winton.
“To have two from the same school, and the same training squad, is kind of incredible,” Smith said.
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Wakatipu High School’s Sienna Mackley - who represents Southland - has also been named in the New Zealand Secondary Schools squad for the trip to the United States.
In December Davis won the long jump at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships in Timaru and also picked a bronze medal in the 200m.
At the same national championships Gilliland claimed silver in the senior 110m hurdles.
The tour to California will be from April 9 to April 22.
An important lead in meet before the trip to the United States will be the New Zealand Track & Field Championships to be held in Dunedin from March 6 to March 9.
Well done athletes (And coach!) ... that is fantastic.