YSPOTY Awards

L-R: Abdullah Ahmed, Jacob Story, Marguerite Smith

Last Thursday, College Sport Auckland hosted its annual Young Sportsperson of the Year (SPOTY) awards at Eden Park, celebrating the region’s finest athletes and their outstanding achievements. We were proud to have four nominees representing our school: Jacob Story (swimming), Anas Zara and Abullah Ahmed (lawn bowls), and Marguerite Smith (girls’ wrestling). A huge congratulations to Jacob and Anas (in absentia), who both won their categories!

Reflecting on his achievement, Jacob (Year 13) shared: “It’s an honour that I can’t even put into words. Being selected as one of three finalists, amongst such a talented field of athletes, was a privilege in itself, but to be named the overall winner was such a surreal and special moment. As athletes we invest so much in our sports, and it takes a lot of dedication to get to an elite point, so to see it all pay off means the world to me.”

Jacob Story (Year 13) - winner

Jacob dominated at the College Sport Auckland Swimming Championships, winning three out of four events. Although he was unable to attend NZSS Swimming Championships due to being at the World Aquatic Championships, he had outstanding results at the New Zealand Short Course Championships, NZ Open Swimming Championships, NZ Age-group Championships and Auckland Short Course Champs.

At the College Sport Auckland Swimming Championships Jacob won 3 Gold Medals:

• 1st Senior 50m Butterfly, Gold

• 1st Senior 50m Backstroke

• 1st Senior 50m Breaststroke

• He also finished 2nd with the Senior Boys Team at the AKSS Aquathon Championships.

• At the World Aquatics Open Short Course (December 2024, Budapest, Hungary) Jacob competed in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke and Men’s Open 200m Breaststroke, Setting a New Cook Islands National Record in both events.

• At the 2025 Auckland Regional Long Course Championships he won Gold in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke event and also picked up an additional 3 Silver medals in his age group.

• At the 2025 New Zealand Open Swimming Championships Jacob finished with two silver medals in open men’s events in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, he won Bronze in the Men’s Open 50m Breaststroke, and he also won 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver in age-group events.

• At the 2025 Pacific Mini Games Swimming Championships (Koror, Palau) he finished 1st Men’s Open 200m Breaststroke and Individual Medley, 2nd in the Men’s Open 100m and 400m Individual Medley and 3rd in the Men’s Open 50m Breaststroke.

• At the 2025 World Aquatics Open Long Course Swimming Championships (in Singapore) Jacob competed in the Men’s Open 100m Breaststroke and Men’s Open 200m Breaststroke, setting a new Cook Island National Record in both events.

• At the 2025 Auckland Regional Short Course Swimming Championships he won Gold in the Men’s 17 yrs 50m Butterfly and Bronze in the Men’s 17 yrs 50m Backstroke.

• At the 2025 New Zealand National Short Course Championships Jacob achieved excellent results winning three gold medals in the 17-18 yrs 100m, 200m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly. He also won a silver and bronze medal at the event.

Anas Zara (Year 11) - winner

Marguerite Smith (Year 12) - finalist

Marguerite had a breakout year in her wrestling in 2025. She won Gold in the 58kg Category at the AKSS Wrestling Championships and Silver in the 62kg Category at the NZSS Wrestling Championships. Marguerite was awarded the Curri Cup for Fair Play at the NZSS Wrestling Championships. Marguerite also won Gold in the Under 20 60kg Category at the Waikato Wrestling Championships this year.

Ahmed Abdullah (Year 12) - finalist

Abdullah was in the team which won the overall title at the Auckland Secondary School Lawn Bowls Pairs Championship. This is his third successive year competing for the school at this event and he has developed his game to another level over this time along with partner, Anas.