Cross Country

Whitehorse Division Cross Country 

On Friday 29 April, 64 enthusiastic Blackburn students headed out to Ruffey Lake Park for the Whitehorse Division Cross Country event.  

The day began well with 11 students in the 13-Year boy division heading off for their 3 km run. Unfortunately, a member of the public walking her dog decided to guide the leaders of the pack (which were in large part BHS boys) down the wrong track (unintentionally). By the time the boys realised they were on the wrong track, they had covered almost an extra half a kilometre to everyone else and finished the 3km race outside the top 10. With this in mind, the boys were asked and bravely agreed to run the race again later in the day. With their re-run the Blackburn boys finished in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th. Congratulations Charlie Wilson, Tom Linnett, Luke Sciacca, Charlie Orpwood, Max Miller, Archie Rowe, Kai Jones, Joe Kneebone and Xavier Johns who ran again with Charlie, Tom, Luke, Charlie, Max, Archie, Kai and Joe all qualifying for EMR. 

Our 13-Year old girls team then took off. Congratulations to Amaya Thalakada who finished in 1st place. Others to make it through to EMR were Chelsea Daniels, Samara Azzopardi, Alyssa Lindsey and Penny Sciacca. In the 14-Year boys, Agustin Pellica came through in 1st place, with Cameron Goddard, Charlie Duane and Emmanuel 

Twigg-Ho qualifying for EMR. Our 14-Year girls ran a fabulous race, finishing in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th and 15th. Congratulations to Mia Kellock, Alicia Roach, Yasmin Wright, Sienna Casey, Tanya Pazokian, Lily Griffiths, Jess Innes and Emily Bishop for qualifying through to EMR. 

Our 15-Year boys were up against some stiff competition, however special mention to Mason Porter who ran the 3 km course to finish in 2nd place in an amazing time of 9 minutes 29 seconds. Angus Butler, James Wilson and Harvey Irvin have qualified through to EMR alongside Mason. 

Our 15-Year girls carried on the Blackburn pride finishing in 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 17th with Isla Moore, Emily McCrohan, Cadence Hannan, Sasha Davey and Holly Trainor all qualifying for EMR. Special mention to Isla who returned early from her Duke of Ed camp to run. 

That’s dedication Isla! 

Our 16-Year girls also were winners on the day. Placing 1st  Lucy Freeman, 2nd  Charlotte Freeman and 3rd  Abigael Procter. Congratulations girls on qualifying for EMR. 

We had three boys run in the 16-Year age group and all three qualified for EMR - Seb Poynter 3rd, Jackson Conroy 8th and Corey Heerman 13th. Special mention to these students as this was their first attempt at the 5 km race. 

The last race of the day was our 17-20-Year boys and girls and what an effort it was from our senior students. Georgina Shand came through in 1st place in a fantastic time of 11 mins 36 secs, almost a minute faster than the 2nd placed runner. Our boys in this age group came through in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 12th. Our runners in order of placings were Liam McLennan, Lee Martin, Joel Carter, Seb Podsiadly and Charlie Foster. 

We are immensely proud of all of our competitors. The EMR event is scheduled for Tuesday 14 June. 

Ms Nadine Roach, Sports Carnivals Coordinator