Nelson athlete Ellie Beever with her haul of medals from the 2021 South Island Colgate Games. Photo: Jonty Dine

Young athletes on show at Saxton

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Budding Olympians got the chance to showcase their skills in Nelson last weekend in one of the biggest youth athletic meets in Australasia.

The South Island Colgate Games saw thousands of children descend on Saxton Field for the three-day event.

Nelson Athletes were right among the medals with Ellie Beever claiming gold in the division one 12 years long jump.

Ellie saved her best jump for last after overstepping on her first two attempts.

“I had two no jumps so I was really worried because I had to get one on or it wouldn’t count.”

Ellie would rise to the challenge and claim the win with a distance of 4.53.

The Broadgreen Intermediate student says it was a cool and proud moment to stand on the podium infant of friends and family.

Ellie also picked up a silver medal in the high jump and a bronze in the medley relay.

The weather also played its part in the games, from scorching heat to torrential rain.

“The first two days it was really hot, I had to keep applying sunblock and drinking then Sunday was really wet and in the high jump I would get wet every time I landed.”

The downpour would not dampen Ellie’s spirits however as she hopes to return to Invercargill next year to defend her title.

Other Nelson athletes to shine included Josephine Tappenden who won gold in the 13-years 400m and Bella Cain-Townley who took out the 11-years 800m.