DEFENDING champions Natabua High School and Jasper Williams High School successfully retained their titles during the Coca-Cola Lautoka Athletics Zone meet yesterday.
Natabua won the boys division securing a haul of 34 medals with 21 gold, nine silver and four bronze.
Jasper Williams High School won the girls division collecting a total of 39 medals with 21 gold, 13 silver and five bronze.
Natabua team manager Maciu Naivava said despite the short preparation they were able to defend the boys title.
Naivava said there was a lot of support rendered by the parents and former scholars.
"We fielded a good team in the zone meet and were able to defend our title," Naivava said.
"We had only two weeks to prepare for this event so much focus was on building the fitness."
"Without the support of the parents and ex scholars we would not have gone this far.
"The athletes showed commitment and strength throughout the training and competition. Now we aim to do our best against the top schools of Fiji in the national meet."
Leone Natusa of Natabua won the best male athlete award while the best female athlete award went to Jasper's Sereima Liku.
Meanwhile Jasper student Meresiana Vukici will be an athlete to watch during the Coca-Cola Games in Suva.
The Form Four student won three gold medals in the intermediate girls category.
She broke the records in the 400m and 800m events.
Vukici was part of the Jasper quartet who won the 4x400m relay setting a new record.
She won the junior girls 400m and 800m events during the Coca-Cola games last year when she represented Holy Cross College of Taveuni.
"I really feel good not only about winning the gold medals but also setting new records," Vukici said. "The adverse weather conditions in recent weeks affected my training but I tried not to let it slow me down. My aim at the national finals will be to break those records."
The Coca-Cola Games will be held in May.