Southland juniors outshone other New Zealand secondary schools at the ŠKODA National Mountain Biking Championships held in Bluff/Motupōhue on the 13-16 October 2022. 

Out of the total of 42 Junior Schools (year 7 and 8s) participating in the event, Fiordland College won the title of the top Junior School in New Zealand for 2022, and Southland Boys' (Junior) High School came 3rd.

Fiordland College Senior Team was 8th out of 105 participating NZ secondary schools.

The races were held on the tracks that Southland MTB Club are developing in the area above the Bluff township. 

Fiordland College sent a team of seven riders to the championships to compete in the three events which included Enduro, Downhill and Cross Country.

The team comprised of Will Excell, Libby Excell, Jazz Braaksma and Jack Williams, Ashton Hyde, Harry Excell and Bailey Taylor.

On Thursday, six students took part in the Enduro event in different categories, with Libby Excell gaining 2nd U13G (under 13 Girls), Will Excell 4th U14B (under 14 Boys) and the remaining four participants completing the course. 

On Friday and Saturday, five students raced well in the Downhill races despite crashes and mechanical problems, with Libby Excell finishing 3rd U13G, Harry Excell 9th U16B and Will Excell 10th U14B and Ashton and Bailey completing the race.

The Cross-country race on Sunday had six students compete, with Jazz Braaksma 3rd U14G, Libby Excell 6th U13G, and Jack Williams 9th U14B. Will Excell and Bailey Taylor completed, with Riley Wilson unable to complete the race after breaking his saddle and bars.

As well as the individual race medals, students who enter all three disciplines (Enduro, DH, XC) compete for the best overall. Libby Excell was 2nd best overall mountain biker in New Zealand for Under 13 Girls. 

Sam Lawrence of Southland Boys' High School was the 2nd best in the country Under 14 Boy.