Sports Wrap - Pakuranga College

Athletics

Jordan Viljoen
Jordan Viljoen from Kauri Whānau didn’t take a break these holidays! She competed in the Colgate Games in Hastings, bringing home an incredible five medals from her six events in the Girls’ 14 Grade.

– 1st – 80m Hurdles

– 1st – High Jump

– 1st – Long Jump

– 1st – Mixed Medley Relay

– 2nd – 4x100m Relay

– 4th – 200m

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she also received the Nick Willis Scholarship to support her athletics journey. Congratulations, Jordan! We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve in 2025!

Leah Marais
Leah Marais from Pōhutukawa Whānau has been making waves in the athletics scene and has been putting in the work over the holidays!

North Island Colgate Games:

– 400m – Bronze

– 1500m – Bronze

– 800m – Silver

– 14th Grade 4x100m Relay – Silver

Auckland Senior Championships:

– 1500m U16 – Gold, smashed her PB by 6 seconds with a new time of 4:39.90!

– 800m U16 – Silver

Huge congratulations, Leah! We can’t wait to see what’s next for you!

Swimming

Mia Laban
In December star swimmer and Pakuranga College 2024 Sportsperson of the Year, Mia Laban, set personal records in the pool! Competing at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest for the Cook Islands, Mia secured an impressive time of 1:04.96 in the 100m backstroke – her personal best!

Maeve McDonnel
Maeve McDonnell from Nīkau Whānau dominated pool and open water swimming events in the holidays, competing both here and across the ditch in top-tier swimming competitions!

At the Mattioli Victorian Age LC Champs, she posted personal bests in all six races and won silver in the F14 1500m freestyle!

Then, at the 2025 NZ Open Water Championships in Taupō, Maeve bagged triple gold!

– 1st – 7.5k (F13-14) and 2nd overall (F13-17)

– 1st – 5k (F13-14)

– 1st – 4x1000m relay (F13-14)

Fellow Pakuranga College swimmer, Jasmine Laban, was also part of the winning 4x1000m relay team – what a pool of talent!

Maeve also took part in the 2025 Harlequins Zonal Secondary Schools Open Water Championships this month. Competing in the Girls’ 14-15 category, she claimed 1st place in the 4.6km Rangitoto to St Heliers swim! Way to start 2025, congratulations Maeve!