Teenage runner earns Nick Willis scholarship

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Abby O’Boyle has every reason to smile following her success at the North Island and South Island Colgate Games.

The 14-year-old, from St Paul’s Harrier and Athletic Club, was competing in her last Colgate Games, and had set herself the goal of performing strongly.

She did exactly that against athletes from throughout New Zealand and visiting Australians. Across the two Colgate Games events in Auckland and Dunedin respectively, she returned with two gold medals, two silver and a bronze.

Abby’s hard work and determination saw her awarded one of eight Nick Willis Scholarships for performance and sportsmanship handed out at the Colgate Games each year.

“I was pretty shocked that I had been named as one of the winners of the scholarship. It’s going to help me so much with my running and allow me to attend some different events,” Abby said.

“I am stoked with how I went. I managed a really good time, my high jump went well too.”

The St Paul’s Harrier and Athletic Club runner said the scholarship meant loads to her, she said.

“There was eight of us who got them and it’s really cool. I guess its a vote of confidence from them that they have recognised our talents and to back them.

“There were so many other athletes competing for the scholarships, so to get one was amazing.”

The games in Auckland was a lot different to Dunedin, Abby said.

“I felt a lot more pressure up in Auckland. The surroundings and competitors were all new to me. In Dunedin I raced against the runners I usually run with and I love the Dunedin track.”

Her journey into the sport started when she was new to primary school.

“I started athletics when I was 7. I did a cross country race when I was 5, and did really well and Mum and Dad tried to get me into athletics then, but I didn’t want to.”

Like most athletes, Abby, who attended Verdon College, started as a sprinter before moving into middle distance running.

“It’s going pretty good. When I was old enough to give the longer distances I tried them out and enjoyed them, so stuck with the longer races more than sprinting.”

The 800m was her favourite because it was two full laps around the track, while the 1500m required a bit more tactical nous, and high jump was a nice event away from the hustle and bustle of the track.

Abby said she was super thankful for her coach Lance Smith and what he had taught her since taking up athletics.

“He is an amazing coach. Lance has been really good and helped me so much.”

She was looking forward to a busy couple of months on the running track, while continuing to focus on enjoyment.

It was a successful Colgate Games for all eight Southland clubs that took part, with the Invercargill Athletics Club winning six medals, Fiordland one, Gore Athletics five, including two golds to Max Wiegersma, and all five of Queenstown’s gold medals went to star performer Aya Duffy, while the club won 12 overall.

Wyndham’s Piper Muir won four of her club’s six medals, while St Paul’s won 23.

Correction: Abby’s last name is O’Boyle, not O’Brien as stated in an earlier version of this story. (Amended January 25, 2024 at 7.40am)