SPORT NEWS
KINGSTON DIVISION SENIOR SOCCER
It was a cool sunny morning when our bus arrived in Aspendale Gardens and saw the pristine pitches. As a local resident I had briefed the boys that there would be no excuses if we couldn’t play football. McKinnon didn’t disappoint in that regard but more importantly showed a resilience in the face of adversity that as someone who has coached many of this group before, I have not always seen. I have never doubted their football ability, but I have stressed that ability does not win games of football, but mental strength and ability does. This was apparent on Thursday 16 May when McKinnon won three games and drew the last to become Kingston Champions.
Our first game was against Westall. Alex Varelas, (Year 12) was superb scoring a quick fire hattrick with both feet before being subbed before half time. Oliver Iser-Lau (Year 11) scored one as did Isaac Albanis (Year 11) but it was a team effort in a thumping 8-2 victory.
Our next game was against Beaumaris where truth be told McKinnon squandered many chances but still won 2-0. It was a frustrating performance at times, but a few players stood out. Gordon Choi (Year 11) did well as did Peter Kats (Year 11) keeping a clean sheet in goal.
Parkdale were up next which came with a 2-1 victory after initially going behind. Alex Varelas with a quick riposte after we had conceded with a cracking goal. The game went up in intensity and our defence, led by Captain Ben Mason (Year 12) was superb. Igor Pasichnyuk (Year 11) and Caolan McLaughlin (Year 12) were able deputies for Ben in defence. Markis Angelatos (Year 12) was superb in midfield as we got a win in a hard-fought contest. Alex Varelas scoring the winner from a penalty. Will O’Brien (Year 12) did well in an unfamiliar centre forward position where his speed and strength troubled their defence. Cristian Karavendzas (Year 11) did well covering the ground in midfield with Daniel Bronshtein-Kopman (Year 11) did well out wide as well. Oliver Iser-Lau worked hard in this game as he did in all his other games.
This result meant we headed into our last game against Brighton, our nemesis from last year needing only a point. Brighton are a superb side and posed a considerable threat. However so did McKinnon and from superb wing play from Luke Sagiadelis (Year 12) it was Isaac Albanis who scored a spectacular volley to give McKinnon the lead and the initiative in this tight tussle.
Luke Sagiadelis playing in a more defensive position at right back was superb in this game as were the usual suspects of Ben Mason, Igor Pasichnyuk and Caolan McLaughlin. The momentum swung back Brighton’s way just before half time when they scored a thumping header from a corner to make it 1-1 just before half time. McKinnon were clearly on the back foot and despite the efforts of our defence, I thought it was only a matter of time. We conceded a penalty and up stepped the Brighton forward. I have not mentioned the efforts of Gerry Angelatos (Year 12) in goals who was a bundle of nonstop focus in his three games in goal. I crossed my fingers and watched on as Gerry made a double save, saving the penalty and the follow up.
He made many saves late in this game as we hung on for the critical point which gave us the Kingston Championship. He was brilliant all day.
The team celebrated but it would be remiss not to mention the crucial calmness and sounding board that an injured Campbell Henderson (Year 12) provided for me on the day, allowing me to bounce ideas on the day off him as assistant coach.
The team now progress to SMR on Wednesday 24 July where we hope we can continue with our efforts and hopefully proceed onto State. It will be a big ask as we struggled in that last game but as I said to the boys post-game they demonstrated to me and themselves that they have a winning attitude and a team first attitude. Now the hard work really begins as I hope to train this team more regularly to give us the best chance of success.
Congratulations to all the boys who made the Kingston team:
Top row: (L to R) Caolan McLaughlin, Luke Sagiadelis, Alex Varelas, Markis Angelatos, Dan Ferder, Ben Mason (c), Will O’Brien, Gerry Angelatos and Campbell Henderson (Assistant Coach)
Bottom Row: (L to R) Isaac Albanis, Gordon Choi, Daniel Bronshtein-Kopman, Caelan Appleford, Cristian Karavendzas, Igor Pasichnyuk, Peter Kats, Oliver Iser-Lau, Izak Solomon and Nathan Yahalom.
Jonathan Jhoomun
Proud Coach
INTERMEDIATE GIRLS SOFTBALL
On Thursday 23 May the Intermediate Girls Softball team embarked on Jells Park ready for a day filled with Softball. In our pool we lost to Copperfield, won against St Helena and then lost our last match against Brentwood, overall coming third in the pool.
The girls put up a good fight and should be proud of making it all the way to State.
Congratulations to Olivia Smith (Year 10), Tessa Macfarlane (Year 9), Isobel Huntley (Year 9), Madi Harrison (Year 9), Scarlet Lockwood (Year 9), Subira Seymour (Year 10), Vicky Bui (Year 9), Riva Guliya (Year 9), Ishi Tiwari (Year 9), Zoe Xinos (Year 9), Abby Butterworth (Year 10) and Abbie Slaughter (Year 10).
Coach
Miss Bell
SEMESTER 1 BEEP TEST CHALLENGE
On Tuesday 28 May the best of the Year 7 beep testers from each form descended on the gym to compete for the title of ‘The Best Beep Tester of 2024’.
It was an intense battle of the runners as the girls and boys competed against each other. A strong field was still running at level 9, but this was the turning point where only the fittest could survive.
As the beep test headed into level 10 there were only a handful of runners left, a very impressive effort for the Year 7s.
Our eventual winners were:
- Sophie Arbaitman
- Luca Sirianni
- Jace Strydom
This was a fantastic effort from all of the Year 7 runners, well done!
Ms Jen Pemberton
Head of PE & Sport
KINGSTON CROSS COUNTRY
On Wednesday 22 May 80 McKinnon students represented the school at Karkarook Park as part of the Kingston Cross Country event. McKinnon had a very successful day winning both individual and team events.
Teams Events Won
16 Boys: Luka Sideridis (Year 10), Benjamin Knox (Year 10) & Jason Zhang (Year 10)
15 Girls: Olin Buisman (Year 10), Matilda Kelleher (Year 9), Evie Haywood (Year 9) & Kelis Simons (Year 9)
12-13 Girls: Sophie Arbaitman (Year 7), Micaela Kelleher (Year 7), Eva Kentera (Year 7) & Emma Baldwin (Year 7)
12-13 Boys: Archie Sideridis (Year 7), Zavier Madden (Year 7), Luca Sirianni (Year 7) & Matvey Roche (Year 7)
Podium Finishes
16 Girls: (2nd) Layn Swanson (Year 10)
16 Boys: (1st) Luka Sideridis (Year 10)
15 Girls: (3rd) Olin Buisman (Year 10)
12-13 Girls: (1st) Sophie Arbaitman (Year 7)
12-13 Boys: (1st)Archie Sideridis (Year 7)
Fifty one students have qualified for the Southern Metro Region Cross Country to be held on Tuesday 18 June at Ballam Park, Frankston.
Alice Breidahl
Cross Country Coach
SENIOR BOYS BASEBALL STATE FINALISTS
McKinnon State Baseball representatives for 2024 hit the Cheltenham dugouts full of school pride and enthusiasm on Tuesday 21 May. After a successful campaign full of home runs and strikeouts, our journey finally came to an end.
We pushed academy school Maribyrnong to a 1 v 3 result over a hard fought 80 minutes and were unlucky not to connect to a few hits, going down swinging and with some fantastic defensive work both infield and outfield.
Pitchers Sam Bailey (Year 11), Rohan Baker (Year 11), Senin Seymour (Year 12) and Miller Leech (Year 11) kept the team in it with an over-exuberant Senin Seymour (Year 12) making a double play that had the opposition questioning his almost unhinged celebration. Finn Sharp (Year 11) showed the resilience McKinnon is known for by catching all day and following up with xcountry the next.
Josh Bridges (Year 11) and Ollie Ritchie (Year 12) connected with some big strikes against national level pitching talent.
Marcus "Plugger/Slugger" Hine (Year 12) had a couple of great plays in the outfield to give McKinnon a chance at glory unfortunately we fell just short. With Jack Howells (Year 12) constant supportive talk in the field towards his teammates and Alan Traynes (Year 11) (relentless effort both batting and in the field).
McKinnon will look to go one better next year.
Asher Dunne
Year 12 Student