Xavier White represented NZ in the secondary school team at the Australian Orienteering Championships (AOC) and the Southern Cross Secondary School's Challenge (ASSOC) in Australia last week.

It was an intense week of seven orienteering events held over 9 days in the greater Brisbane area. The schools’ competition consisted of the best orienteers from NZ and Australia running a sprint, relay and long forest race, over three consecutive days. They also participated in the Australian Champs- a sprint, relay, long and middle distance event attended by over 800 people!  Every map presented the Kiwis with new terrain, potential wildlife sightings (e.g., snakes, lizards, kangaroos), and the challenge of running in very hot temperatures of over 30 degrees.  The sprint maps were on technical, highly detailed campuses, with the multi-level school sprint being declared "one of the most difficult" ever seen.

 Xavier came away with 2 medals from the 7 races.  

A first place, Gold medal for the NZ U16 boys Australian Champs Relay, in which he was second runner to Tahi Harris (MAGS), helping to shave off over a minute to shorten the 2+-minute gap from the team who were in first at that stage, thankfully Zack Meads (Pukekohe High) shaved off further time and brought home the win in a nail-biting finish.  

Xavier also won a second-place, Silver medal, for the Junior Boys Long Forest event in the Southern Cross Challenge.  He placed 8th in the AOC middle distance event, and 8th in the ASSOC sprint.  His other placings were in the top 15.

Congratulations, Xavier! What an outstanding effort. You’ve shown remarkable resilience and determination. Despite arriving back in New Zealand late last night, you were at school on time and ready to start the new term. You are a true champion!