The Wellington Secondary Schools Rowing Championships were held at the Korokoro rowing course over the weekend and with the McLachlan Shield won by Wellington College narrowly over Queen Margaret College.

In hot and still conditions, 281 students from 14 schools participated in 28 races (14 male and 14 female events) divided into under-18, under-16, and under-18 novice (for athletes in their first year) age groups.

The McLachlan Shield itself is presented to the Wellington school with the highest aggregate points at the regatta.  Five points are awarded for a victory, three for a second placing and one for third.

Wellington College finished top of the standings for the second year in a row with 65 points, edging Queen Margaret College by a point.  Onslow College with 46 points rounded out the top three.

Wellington College crews enjoyed six victories with the U18 coxless pair of Arie Renner and George Murray outpacing their opponents.  Alisana Morris and Samuel Kavanagh were similarly swift in the U16 equivalent while the Wellington novice U16 and U18 coxed eight crews learnt quickly winning their respective races.

Queen Margaret Quad at 2019 MacLachlan Shield Rowing Regatta

Queen Margaret College was successful in the following events: U16 coxed quad sculls, U18 coxless pairs, U16 double sculls, U18 novice coxed four and U16 coxed four.

Encouragingly Mollie Nicol and Mila van der Wilt showed their class winning their respective events comfortably.  At last year’s Maadi Cup the pair won the U15 double sculls A final.

The marquee U18 single sculls events were won by Finlay Sherlock of Onslow College and Georgia Rich of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School.

Several Wellington Schools will compete at the North Island Secondary Schools Championships on Lake Karapiro between March 8 and 10, and then the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship regatta (the Maadi Cup)at the same venue from March 25 to 31.  Queen Margaret was the best preformed Wellington School at Maadi Cup last year finishing in 19th place.

Final McLachlan Shield Standings

1. Wellington College, 65
2. Queen Margaret College, 64
3. Onslow College, 46
4. St Patrick’s College, Wellington, 43
5. Wellington Girls’ College, 34
6. St Mary’s College 24
7. Wellington East Girls’ College, 22
8. Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, 17
9. Hutt International Boys’ School, 1

Article courtesy of College Sport Media