On Saturday morning our Cross Country families gathered at Masons Lane Reserve for the final meet this season.  All races were conducted on a handicap basis, where athletes started off using handicap staggered times.

The first race up was the Under 7 & 8 athletes.  Matilda Flanagan set off first over the 1km course.  Matilda ran one of her best races for the season and lead from start to finish.  Little separated Aisha Lidgett-Egan, Myah Estlick and Hudson Wisewould, while back marker Deegan Doyle closed on his handicap margin crossing the finish line next with Imogen Lidgett-Egan not far behind.

The Open age athletes competed over 3km’s, completing 3 laps of a 1km course.  Backmarker Jack Mutsearts displayed his best performance for the season overtaking the entire field to take line honours, closely followed by Bridget Henthorn. The much improved, Zoe Wells and Grace Mutsearts, both ran outstanding races while Kayla Downes and Tamara Henry paced each other around the course to finish with a sprint to the finish line.

The Under 11 & 12’s had a close race over 2kms, with Nate Sadhai the strongest performer, taking line honours from Mitchell Wells in 2nd place, closely followed by Xavier Goodman in 3rd.  Elise Cook was next home , while Danielle Ide, Tansy Seymour, James Burton and Tyrah Doyle were within a couple of seconds of each other.  Ymir Travisson-Heafield placed 9th, Noah Noorman in 10th and Lachlan Goodman and Braydn Rich finishing out the field.

In the Under 9 & 10 1500m event, Nicholas Ide took line honours closely followed by back marker William Flanagan and only a few seconds behind, Sarah Burton crossed the finish line in 3rd place.  Only seconds separated the remaining runners, Mackenzie Estlick was next home followed by Sailah Wisewould and Anna Seymour.

The final race for the day saw Jax Coulton the only Under 6 runner.  To add some excitement to the race, Jax set off on his 500m race with senior athlete Jack Mutsaerts taking up the challenge to run down Jax, after being given a one minute handicap.  Although Jack closed in on the margin, a strong sprint finish, along with cheering from the crowd saw Jax cross the finish line in 1st place.

After all races had concluded athletes, family and friends gathered for the Cross Country season presentations.

Champion Athletes

Junior Girl – Mya Estlick

Junior Boy – Deegan Doyle

Intermediate Girl – Mackenzie Estlick

Intermediate Boy – Mitchell Wells

Senior Girl – Kirsty Bresnan

Senior Boy – Zane Rich

Encouragement Awards

Junior Girl – Matilda Flanagan

Junior Boy – Kalan Kucera

Intermediate Girl – Tyrah Doyle

Intermediate Boy – Braydn rich

Senior Girl – Kayla Downes

Senior Boy – Jack Mutsaerts

Bronze Shield (25 Runs)

Deegan Doyle

Kalan Kucera

Hudson Wisewould

Nicholas Ide

Mackenzie Estlick

James Burton

Grace Mutsaerts

Jack Mutsaerts

Silver Shield (50 Runs)

Lachlan Goodman

Xavier Goodman

Tamara Henry

Gold Shield (75 Runs)

Zane Rich

Platinum Shield (100 Runs)

Kirsty Bresnan

Thank you to all those who contributed to our Cross Country season.  Special thanks to Ian Rich who set up our courses every Saturday morning and was also our starter for all races.  Thank you to Sam Stewart who was our weekly rabbit and encouraged our athletes around the course with the assistance of many other parents throughout the season.  Thank you to our recorder Rose Wells; in the first season using electronic timing for Cross Country.  Thank you also to Maria Downes who marshalled all our athletes each week and to those who provided photos throughout the season.  Finally, thank you to our Cross Country Co-ordinator, Karen Bresnan.