Wellington East Girls’ College Waka Ama under 16 crew successfully defended their national title at last week’s National Secondary Schools’ Waka Ama Regatta.

The talented teens won gold in the premier event, the 250m sprint beating out their closest competition by half a boat length at Lake Tikitapu in Rotorua.

The gold completed the set of medals for the girls, who also took out silver in the 500m event, and a bronze in the 12 man double-hull event in which they competed with Wellington College’s six man waka ama crew.

This is the second year in a row the Wellington East girls’ W6 crew has taken gold.

“We were a bit gutted to miss out on the gold in the 500m event, so we came out firing in the 250m event,” said team member Acacia-Viva Omeri.

The two senior Under 19 teams also fared well in their events, with the first senior crew finishing 6^th in their championship semi final for 500m, and second in their plate semi for 250m – narrowly missing the qualifying time for the final. In the 12 man double-hull event, the first senior crew combined with Rongotai to finish 6^th in the plate final.

Team lists:

Junior A (WEGC White): Osheanya Kopa, Briar Barnsley, Acacia-Viva Omeri, Holly Nicholas, Wiri Allen-Murray, Ngaere Hauiti-Parapara

Junior B (WEGC Red Zone): Toni Owen, Whena Munn, Ana Tupangaia, Manuea Metuariki, Areta Ward, Stevie-Lee Topia

Senior A (WEGC Blue): Latu Clark, Valeria Mendoza-Davis, Mamaeroa Munn, Phinie Malir-Crawford, Taria Williams, Cereace Wallace

Senior B (WEGC Round the Outside): Ihipera Rimene-Sproat, Ripeka Retimanu, Loren Svensek, Saige Taia-Fisher, Huia Toia, Jessica Harris

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