Our annual round of regional schools championships kicked off with Riverina hosting at Willans Hill in Wagga on Tuesday.
There were 46 primary and secondary students aged 9-16 present, representing schools from Ladysmith to Walla Walla. Many were trying orienteering for the first time.
Starting from the Music Bowl at the southern end of the Botanic Gardens, the courses tested the basics of navigation. The main challenge was to read the map well and use linear features to link where they were with where they needed to get to.
In a seesawing contest, Kade Mavroudis (TRAC) won the M16A division as the lead changed hands several times. In the girls 14-15 division, Brook Thomson Crane (Wagga High) hit top gear on the final control to overhaul two girls and win by 15 seconds.
Thanks to John Oliver (WR) and Lyn Malmgron for putting on the event. They report this was by far the most enthusiastic group of students in the four years the champs have been run.
