Cochrane throws a silver surprise
Wind couldn't hold Waimate's Ruby Cochrane back from a silver medal at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in the weekend.
The Waimate High School student threw 39.13m in the senior girls' discus to secure second place.
The event didn't start out well for the 17-year-old as she battled the wind and stepped out of the circle.
"It was really windy," she said.
Only a fortnight ago, Cochrane threw 42.73m, which was a personal best and was aiming for fourth at the competition with a similar throw.
When the top placegetters were called out from eighth to first, Cochrane never expected to hear her name near the end.
"I said 'What? This is crazy'. Considering the conditions, I was happy with my throw."
Cochrane also competed in the senior girls' javelin, throwing 30.94m to claim ninth place.
Cochrane has been invited to take part in a number of upcoming tournaments, including The Young Olympian Classic Tour, the Sylvia Potts Classic, the Cook's Gardens Classic and the the Capital Classic.
An invitation was extended to all top three placegetters and senior athletes placed fourth to sixth, with priority given to the top three seniors, and is limited to 50 athletes.
"I hope I can attend," she said.
The trips have to be funded by the athletes, and all events are held in the North Island.
Waimate High School's results from National Secondary School Athletics: Michael Garland - fourth in junior boys' 1500m in a time of 4m 16.02s (personal best); Gemma Botica - 19th in senior girls' 200m sprint in 27.22s (pb), 13th in senior girls' long jump with a jump of 4.97m (pb).
