Southland schools triathletes on form at nationals

Southland high school triathletes have returned home from the New Zealand secondary schools champs with a swag of top performances.

Lachie Baird (Verdon College)

Kennedy Taylor (Southland Girls' High School) claimed two titles with wins in both the under 13 girls triathlon and aquathon at the champs, which were held at Rabbit Island, near Nelson.

Kennedy Taylor (Southland Girls' High School)

Verdon College's Lachie Baird was second in the under 16 boys section.

There were two top 10 performances for Southland in the under 19 mens section, with Jaxon Taylor (Southland Boys' High School) finishing fifth and Sam Thornbury (Verdon College) seventh.

Jaxon Taylor (Southland Boys' High School)

Jaxon and Sam will continue on to the Oceania Championships, being contested in New Plymouth this weekend.

Sam Thornbury (Verdon College)

For Jaxon, the event doubles as the qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games.