Students poured onto the Beerwah Sports Grounds not once but three times on Tuesday for the Annual GCCC Cross Country. They all came a little bit nervous and a little bit excited but they were all keen to earn valuable house points. This proved very true throughout the day as the final score indicated.
The students competed for individual placings but were also running for their house with the first four finishers of each house counting towards the teams’ race for houses. Ten points could be earned by winning the teams’ race competition. There were also lucky spot prizes for two finishers in each race. Students also gained selection into the GCCC teams to compete at District Cross Country Championships coming up soon.
The Middle School students began the day of competition running three or four kilometres around the Beerwah Sports Grounds, nearby stream and parklands. Some races were closely fought and others were led by the winner right from the gun. Brooke Hughes, Natasha Hoeksema and Jack Fissenden all won by at least a minute but Jaylah Daunt and Chloe Dunford and Bakani Kombani and Patrick McKenzie fought close battles throughout their races.
The Senior School followed with the Year 12 students savouring their final cross country race ever for many of them! The students enjoyed running alongside many staff members who also took up the challenge to run the cross country. There was some great running but also much socialising along the way and everyone enjoyed the experience. Jacqueline Roach showed that training surely pays off by winning the 15 years girls’ race in the fastest 4km time for the girls. Cameron Shervey and Bailey Townsend battled it out in the 15 year boys’ race with Cameron winning by just six seconds with the fastest boys’ 4km time of the day.
Finally, the Primary students arrived with the nine year olds quite nervous about running their first serious cross country race. After running many laps of the oval during the Lapathon Challenge these students were ready to race. They were fit and determined.
This was proved when the 11 year old boys took to the course. It was a very tactical race with Sam Townson, Jacob Broderick and Declan Martin battling it out throughout the race. Sam and Declan ran stride for stride until part way through the second lap. Sam moved to the front and ran strongly to finish first with Jake second and Declan third. These boys ran the fastest 3km times of the day beating all the 12 and 13 year old times. Aaron van Palen and Bryce Sambrook had the closest Primary race with only eight seconds separating them with Aaron gaining the victory for Sinai. Amy Trevan and Cassidy Ferris both led from start to finish in their races.
Zion won all but one team’s race in the Primary school helping Zion emerge as points winners in Primary. When the final competition points were tallied from all the day’s competitions the unbelievable had happened. Zion and Sinai were exactly tied on points with Ararat in third. Every single point certainly made a difference in this competition. After all the war cry and cheering points were added to the competition points Ararat emerged as the Cross Country Champions on 395 points followed by Zion on 349 points and Sinai on 349 points. But wait – there’s more! The Junior Cross Country is yet to be run so points will be finalised after this event on the 9 May.
Once again the support from parents and families was fantastic. We are proud of the students’ performances and effort throughout the whole field – whether winning or just completing the race. Every point really does count!
Age | First | Second | Third | Team Winner |
9 year girls | Amy Trevan | Ella Childs | Lilli-Jean Cruise | Zion |
9 year boys | Aaron van Palen | Bryce Sambrook | Tyler Reeves | Sinai |
10 year girls | Cassidy Ferris | Genevieve Kratzmann | Molly McCaughey | Zion |
10 year boys | Daemon Cruise | Mason White | Ethan Palmer | Zion |
11 year girls | Emily Roach | Amity Roser | Isabel Holley | Zion |
11 year boys | Samuel Townson | Jacob Broderick | Declan Martin | Zion |
12 year girls | Jaylah Daunt | Chloe Dunford | Maya Amendolia | Sinai |
12 year boys | Bakani Kombani | Patrick McKenzie | Lachlan McWilliam | Sinai |
13 year girls | Brooke Hughes | Codie Rechberger | Savannah Malan | Sinai |
13 year boys | Harrison Still | Dylan Myers | Aaron Lerch | Ararat |
14 yr Girls | Natasha Hoeksema | Tenaia Owens | Claire Cornel | Zion |
14 year boys | Jack Fissenden | Roarke Carter | Toby Glover | Ararat |
15 year girls | Jacqueline Roach | Nicola Bates | Anna Graham | Ararat |
15 year boys | Cameron Shervey | Bailey Townend | Lucas Tidy | Zion |
16 year girls | Andie Little | Ella Mickleson | Talia Rosa-Denham | Sinai |
16 year boys | Jaiden Andrews | Flynn Mitchell | Jake Hoeksema | Zion |
Open Girls | Abbey Bates | Louise Munyard | Courtney Sinclair | Ararat |
Open Boys | Aaron Giles | Isaac Cornel | Stephen Greasley | Ararat |
Wendy Stott
For photos of each event please click on the following links:
Middle School Cross Country Photos
Senior School Cross Country Photos