CIS Cross Country Championships
Thursday 6 June 2024
International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park
Elite Cross Country runners from Independent Schools descended on the International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park, for the CIS Cross Country Championships, which is now in its second year on this still-new layout. The skies were ominous, yet we dodged (well the Senior School did) the worst of the weather and were treated to some fast Cross Country running across seven age groups. The course is a real Cross Country test, hilly, undulating, muddy, grassy and slippery… Shore had 17 Blue Street Boys selected to represent Shore and the GPS, yet we were reduced to 16 after we lost Archie Watson to a nasty lurgy. We’ve no doubt he’ll be back fighting fit, as he’s even been recruiting Cross Country runners at School. Thanks, Archie! Here’s looking at you, Tom!
The first boys called to the barrier were our Opens runners: Lachy Brown, Ryan Gilmour and Isaac Lanham. These three soon established themselves ‘up front’ and settled into a good rhythm for the 8 kilometre test! Lachy, still getting back to top form, dropped off a little on the second 4 kilometre lap, yet Ryan and Isaac ran well and established themselves comfortably in the Top Ten, Ryan 7th and Isaac 9th. As the finish line loomed, Ryan narrowly lost a spot, and he finished 8th with Isaac not too far adrift in 9th. These two booking themselves a start at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships early next Term, where they are set to impress! Lachy ended up 12th to be the 2nd reserve for the CIS team at All Schools; there is nothing too shabby about that.
We had three stallions in the 17s race, with James Bestic, Daniel B and Mack Haddow all looking twitchy and keen to race at the start. James looked comfortable on course and had a super race. He should be pleased with himself as his 15th is a fine result in such a high quality field. Daniel and Mack remained in touch with one another mid field for the duration and finished, commendably, in 62nd and 63rd, respectively. Daniel had a muddy stack rounding one of the last bends, yet he managed to get back up quickly as he accelerated to the finish! Break out the Napisan!
Tom Gray, in only his second outing at CIS, was our sole runner in the 16s race and he made a fine account of himself as he finished 27th. No doubt the bookmakers will lower his odds next year!
The strength behind our solid weekly results in the Intermediates each Saturday was evident in the 15s race, with Will Bestic, Jonty Jagger, Hugo Stewart and James Warren all saddled up at the start line. I have the feeling that these four and Ben Frantz may combine to bring home our next GPS XC Premiership, as they are all super keen and improving quickly with plenty of track work. You could have easily thrown a blanket over Will, Jonty and Hugo for much of the race as they worked off one another well. Jonty just got the better of his Shore teammates at the finish as he was 29th, with Will 31st and Hugo 32nd. James did well and finished a commendable 51st.
The 14s race was another Shore solo affair with Toby Ward, who raced well, getting out quickly, and ended in a solid 19th. I expect it won’t be long until he progresses through this difficult pathway to All Schools with his desire to train hard, improve and race well!
We were represented by debutants George Harvey and Leon Field in the 13s race. It was a baptism of fire in a strong field. Yet these two ran tenaciously and made a fine account of themselves as they were 54th and 69th, respectively.
The final secondary race of the day was the 12 years boys’ event, and we were watching closely Henry Grieve and Harrison Thomas. Well, they were easy to watch as they were virtually side by side for the duration. Harrison surged to the line in strong fashion to be 11th, with Henry just one position back in 12th. They both ended up as 1st and 2nd reserve for the CIS team to go to All Schools. A fine result, and there is every likelihood of being called upon with the amount of current sickness in the community.
In the wash up, it was a very successful day, with no horsing about, at Horsley Park for the Blue Street Boys, and we look forward to weekly GPS racing resuming tomorrow at Riverview. This is also the selection race to be included in the GPS teams to take on CAS next Term. Giddy up!
Good running,
Mr M Spratt
MIC Cross Country
