Cross Country
Sydney Boy’s High School Invitation (trial), Centennial Park, 6 May 2023.
The fast gravel roads marked the beginning of the 8km races for the season, a good tester of fitness and grit for the boys. The traffic jams to enter Centennial Park in the city’s Eastern Suburbs heightened the energy and nerves for the day, creating a sense of excitement among the Shore camp. As the boys toed up to the line, the excitement became evident by the joyful faces of all the Shore lads.
The Juniors began the stampede with an early 9.00am start, the Shore boys being led out by Hugo Stewart and Toby Ward. The two boys worked together well around the 2×1.8km race, picking off multiple competitors each down the final shute and placing 6th and 8th in the GPS. James Warren and Ben Frantz closed off the top four in solid 24th and 25th places in the GPS, leaving Shore with 63 points and 5th in the GPS against a strong field. Great start to the season, lads!
The Intermediates toed the line knowing they would need to fill in the big hole James Bestic left behind as he ran up in the Opens. However, this did not scare the likes of Fraser Pandit, who seems to impress more and more each season and is definitely one to look out for in the future. Fraser led the Shore team to a hard-fought 4th place and 109 total points. Fraser picked up a handy 7th in the GPS, followed by Daniel Becker (21st), JJ Black (26th) and Ethan Alderson, who closed out the top four in 55th place.
The Opens waited at the start line with a mixed array of emotions. There was the excitement of knowing that a few top runners on the field weren’t participating due to a club meet the next day. There was also the disappointment to hear that two of Shore’s top runners could not participate this week. Despite Lachy Brown‘s hopes for a slow race, I led the field out for a fast first kilometre to break up the field, sorry Lachy. We led the field for three laps with one tenacious Joey’s boy (and GPS record holder) kicking past us Shore boys for the win. Despite the upset of not getting the win, Lachy had a fantastic run placing 2nd overall, followed closely behind by me in 3rd. James Bestic, despite running up an age group, placed 11th in the GPS – fantastic! Jesse Cochrane followed behind with a solid run to close out the top four in 40th place, placing the Shore team 3rd overall.
Machine of the Week: (selected by the coaches and Mr Spratt) Lachy Brown.
The Shore lads will head out to the tough St Ives Showground tomorrow for a true test of grit. However, the determination evident in this week’s performances will stand us in good stead! Despite a few absences this week, the team is looking mighty strong, ready to take home a bit of silverware throughout the season. We’re looking forward to it!
C Burnett
Shore Cross Country Captain 2023
