Jess Lake (19) has had her first taste of international competition.

The keen thrower recently participated in the Pacific Games for athletics in Rarotonga, bringing home a fifth and six placing in women’s javelin and discus respectively. 

Jess, who competes for Cromwell Athletics Club, was invited to attend the Games following a family trip to Rarotonga to celebrate her 18th birthday last year.

Mum Tina said the family took lots of donated goods for the high school including library books, sports equipment and stationery. 

“While staying on the island [my husband] Jason and Jess [who are both accredited Athletics NZ coaches] held some coaching clinics with the high school and the athletics club.”

That resulted in Jess being invited back to compete in the Pacific Games against athletes from throughout the 15 different Cook Islands.

Jess with the javelin in Rarotonga. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Athletes were aiming to qualify for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships to be held in Timaru in December.

Jess said she “gained good experience’’ taking part in her first international competition.

As well as the athletics focus, she valued the cultural experiences including seeing people crack coconuts right in front of her.

Together with her Dad Jason she’s planning to return and coach Cook Island athletes again in 2025.

The Central App asked Jess why she enjoyed training and competing.

“It gets me outside, gives me something else to do . . . I enjoy being outside for most of the day on Saturday.”

Her Pacific Games javelin result fell short of her New Zealand best throw - in the Pacific Games she threw 29.36m, coming in fifth place out of a field of 16.

However in the New Zealand under 20 category she is ranked 18th with a 31.41m throw.

Pacific Games athletes (from left) are Tatiana Sherwin (Aitutaki), Jess Lake (Otago), Esther Moan-Lisa David (Aitutaki) and Maki Samantha Lockington (Mitiaro). PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Jess is now focused on qualifying for the New Zealand Track and Field Championships in Dunedin next year - her specialty events are hammer and javelin.

When not competing she is studying high country farming at Otago Polytechnic. 

Jess began athletics at the Alexandra Athletics Club, and started competing when she was 10 years old.

Check out the Alexandra Athletics listing and find the Cromwell Athletics at the Cromwell College field at 5.45pm on Mondays.