Fencing: NISS WINNERS

Monday, 24th June 2024 at 12:10pm

Boys' A team: Jack Hansen, Travis West-Hill, James MacDonald:

Congratulations to the GBHS boys' A team who won the Fencing North Island Secondary Schools' Men's Team Epee Event, over the weekend.

This fantastic result may have secured GBHS a spot in the NZ Secondary Schools' Regional competition, to be held in Auckland in September (still to be confirmed).

Team manager, Mary Black, says the team had HUGE grins on the podium, and fenced really well together as a team, supporting and encouraging each other.

"This is great preparation for the Commonwealth Champs in July for Jack and Travis, and the Australian National U17s for Travis in early July!"

The GBHS Boys' B team also won ALL their matches! (Teams were grouped into poules by ability). Mary says with more big grins on the podium, all three boys have greatly improved their fencing this year, with the mahi starting to get results.

"Two close matches with Arthur cool as a cucumber as anchor, (scores are cumulative), and two more comfortable wins."

The GBHS Girls' team fenced very, very well for their experience levels. Olivia's vast experience helped make up quite a few points. Naomi Rowlings, and Avisa Ashghavi have only just started fencing this year, with one prior competition between them, however, their grit was impressive.

"If they keep fencing, next year I predict they will be winning matches in the top poule," says Mary.

(image above) Men’s A Division - 1st place: Jack Hansen, James MacDonald, Travis West-Hill__