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The Ruyton Cross Country team looked set for defeat at the State Road Relays at LaTrobe University last weekend with the three fastest girls (Holly A., Sarah C. and Sophie P.) in the school missing through injury alongwith an “A” team runner (Tesse K.) from the successful Under 14 team. Furthermore, the traditional flu cut a swath through our “B” and “C” teams causing a record number of changes to Saturday’s team selection. Added to this, our most prominent running family, the Powells, comprising three “A” team runners looked set to miss the event with a flat tyre on the way to the event. Fortunately for Lindy, the girls, and the team Shane drove an extensive distance from a prior engagement at Melbourne Grammar to enable Team Powell to take to the track.
Despite the mayhem in the 24 hours prior to the event, the girls looked remarkably switched on for the first race of the day. Natalie R. (7.02) and Laura P. (7.04) again ran powerfully to register the 2 quickest times of the day. They combined with the ever improving Jess M. and first time “A” runner, Paris P., to outrun the Peninsula School and win the Under 14 Championship. Paris has been the find of the year considering she was listed in the “E” team in 2008. The Under 14 “B” team of Caitlin L., Lucy S., Issy H. and Caroline L. narrowly missed a Top 10 placing finishing 12th overall.
The Under 16 team onced again confronted the might of Berwick Secondary College but were certainly not outclassed. Courtney P. ran 6.41 for the first leg, 6 seconds shy of the State’s Leading distance runner Samantha P. Courtney combined with Lucy A., Zoe K. and Grace K. to pinch 2nd place in the age group. Grace’s terrific finishing speed claimed 2nd place in a photo finish over Killester College. Our “B” team of Stef L., Saskia McE., Michaela B. and Bethany H. ran very consistent splits to claim 12th overall, and the “C” team of Maddy E., Zoe H., Lilly L. and Tessa F. finished a gallant 17th. The “D” team of Annabelle J., Charlotte J., Monica R. and Annabelle R. capped off a solid performance in the Under 16 age group finishing 20th overall.
The Under 18 “A” team changed four times in the 48 hours prior to Saturday. Maddy C-G., Camille H., Olivia F. and Georgie M. finished a creditable 6th in a very competitive age group. Camille’s brave (11.06) and Georgie’s blistering (10.32) were not enough to secure a podium finish. The “B” team of Kate E., Ally P., Lauren C. and Olivia C. improved on their recent performances to finish in 21st position overall.
The Under 20 age group were notified before their event that we were a mere 5 points ahead of Carey going into the last race. It was pleasing that all the Under 20 girls ran as though their team could affect the result. The “A” team of Emily N. (10.50), Elizabeth P., Penny G. (11.32) and Phoebe G. were once again a high pointscorer finishing in 4th position. The “B” team of Georgie M., Georgina B., Emma L. and Kate W. ran particularly well to finish in 9th position, claiming valuable points for the team. The “C” team of Sarah W., Kariesa V.Z., Lucy M. and Cassie L. combined well to finish 11th in the age group.
From a team perspective, Saturday is further proof that our team has considerable resilience, considering several of our leading athletes were out injured. It is particularly pleasing to see that we have attracted so many new girls to the squad this year and that our middle group of athletes are now eying off and realising positions in “A” and “B” teams. From a coaching perspective, I am delighted with the progress of Paris P., Lucy S., Caitlin and Stef L., Michaela B., Bethany H., Sarah W., Kariesa V.Z. and Kate W. It would be fair to say that at the beginning of the year all of these girls were not considered “high draft picks” in the sport of Cross Country but have proven to be incredibly valuable contributors all year.
Saturday saw the return of Cassie L., Maddy E. and Lauren C. All these girls worked very hard to overcome tedious injuries to run well for their teams.
Thankyou to all the families and injured squad members who supported the girls on Saturday. Your support adds weight to the girls’ efforts and achievements and makes for a very enjoyable day, despite the weather and the fact that we can’t see the race from any vantage point.
It has been nearly seven years since this squad has been beaten in any cross country competition within Australia. The State Championship on Saturday July 18th at Bundoora will mark a milestone for the leaving Year 12 students. If we win the State Championship they will become the first girls to be undefeated from Year 7 to Year 12 in the State Championship, State Cross Country Relays, State Road Relays, GSV Preliminary and GSV Championship. |
