This round was our lowest numbers for the season so far with only 4 open women and 11 open men. Despite this, there should only be minimal movement in the ladders so no real harm done. We will need to muster more athletes for Albert Park, especially for out lower teams, the women Div 3 and 4 and the men’s Div 5 and 6.
Our juniors fared well in the state championships with many top ten places and hopefully a few going on to represent the ‘Big V’ at Nationals.
Thanks to our two AV helpers Ben Mudie and Daniel Dunstone who ended up spending the whole session at two marshal points with other clubs not fulfilling their duties.
Open Women
Very low numbers this round saw only four women running so an incomplete premier team, but thanks to those who did run and we still came 8th. Other clubs struggled with numbers also, in fact 6 of the 10 premier teams fielded incomplete teams! Nardine Bainbridge was our first athlete in for the women in a time of 44 minutes and 27 seconds. Second in was Hayley Burke, then Ruby Beveridge and Cheryl Beveridge, all three in their first 10km race, cross country or road…well done! With the 8th place result the team will probably move from 5th to 6th place the ladder.
Open Men
Low numbers in our open men’s teams saw only one full premier team and an incomplete Div 2 team, with 5 athletes. Nathan Pearce had his best run for the season, and his best result in the open men’s competition, finishing 7th. Nathan completed the 10km XC course in 30 minutes and 47 seconds and sets him up well for a crack at a sub 30 minute time at Albert park. Second in was Robert Weitsz then 40+ Alistair McDonald, Alex Tyrrell, 60+ Colin Drake and U20 Thomas Glover for his premier team debut. Well done to Colin for his 3rd place in the 60+ competition and Alistair McDonald 7th in the 40+. Whilst the team was 9th place, because St Stephen’s Harriers did not field a complete team and were last, we will actually move ahead of them into 3rd place outright! In the Div 2, despite coming last and only 1 point for the ladder, it looks there will be no movement and we will stay in 8th place.
Juniors
For our juniors Bundoora was the state cross country championships and their opportunity to be chosen to represent their state at Nationals cross country championships. Congratulations to the following athletes:
Women’s U15 – Lucy Cleveland 5th
Women’s U15 – Liz Hall 27th
Women’s U20 – Abigail Thomas 5th
Men’s U16 – Jackson Wright 4th
Men’s U16 – Aiden Muscat 20th
Men’s U20 – Zac Norton 4th
Men’s U20 – Luca DiConza
Good luck with team Vic selection!
