Cross Country Report
The Shore Cross Country, Northbridge
3 August
Well, it was an experiment that seems to have gone swimmingly well as we hosted the GPS and CAS Cross Country fraternities at Northbridge last Saturday. We were getting frustrated with external venues for a multitude of reasons and felt it prudent to see what we could put together on our splendid Northbridge Shore playing fields. After much planning, we were able to set up a solid 1.8km loop from A Ground and out onto E Ground, etc, running around the perimeter of the site with a ‘loop’, for want of a better word, in the middle. It was flat and fast, and following numerous affirmative comments from staff and parents at brother schools, it was a spectator’s delight! It would be great to have a big hill somewhere in the middle, but you can’t have it all… Hence, it proved to be a fast course, yet lengthy enough to sort out the athletes over approximately 4km, 6km and 8km in the three age groups. Not only were the fields in pristine shape, especially considering this season’s deluges, but the weather was also sublime! A great day out – we were very pleased!
A big shout out to our GPS team members who were selected to take on the CAS: Toby Ward, Hugo Stewart, Jonty Jagger, Will Bestic, Ryan Gilmour and Isaac Lanham. All boys ran well but the CAS Teams were too strong in the Juniors and Intermediates, yet to our delight, the GPS Open Team prevailed over CAS, again! The Opens boy were pleased with their win and representative GPS Pockets! These races were included in the regular Saturday racing in the three age divisions.
The Juniors were the first to test out the Northbridge layout and showed the big boys the way around the course and how to run fast! Toby Ward is running superbly and led the Shore boys in the Juniors. He was an awesome 5th overall and the 2nd member of the GPS to finish. All augurs well for him as the season draws to a close, and we look ahead to the track in Athletics! Henry Grieve had another solid run, coming in 20th, 10th GPS. Archie Watson wasn’t pleased with his 35th, 18th GPS; nonetheless, it was solid. It is great when the boys set high standards for themselves as they look to improve and compete! George Harvey also ran well, and he was 37th, 20th GPS, so we secured a commendable 6th place across both associations in the team’s event and 3rd amongst the GPS teams. Harrison Thomas and Leon Field also ran well andremain athletes to watch, and they are certainly part of our future Shore Cross Country plans!
The Intermediates were all a bit edgy at the Start Line but soon fell into a solid rhythm once racing. Tom Gray blistered around the first lap, and we felt he may have spent too many of his pennies (hmm… is that the right saying?) early; however, he settled into a very pleasing and consistent pace. Hugo Stewart, on the other hand, started a little conservatively and built into the race very well and slid past Tom on the last lap to be our first competitor home in 22nd, 10th GPS. Tom wasn’t far adrift, securing a very pleasing 24th, 11th GPS. Jonty Jagger looks as though he could have done a little more running over the break, yet still hung on tenaciously to be 26th, 12th GPS. Ben Frantz went out a bit harder than usual, backing himself, to the delight of supercoach Mr Friend, who encouraged him to do just that and it paid dividends as he was our 4th runner home in 28th, 14th GPS. James Warren had another solid run, and he was 37th, 20th GPS and will no doubt be chasing his buddy Ben next week! He’s certainly keeping everyone accountable! Will Bestic didn’t have the race we have been getting used to recently. Maybe the conditions were a little too pleasant for him as he seemed to relish the season’s tough adverse conditions in the mud, rain, etc. However, we’ve no doubt that he will soon bounce back as he won’t be overly pleased with his 39th, 21st GPS. His 3rd at Nationals in the pool last week was very cool though!
The Shore Cross Country cognoscenti was super pleased to see Lachy Brown back in action toward the pointy end of the race in the Opens last week, where he belongs, incidentally! He looked to be getting some of his form back from years past and led the Shore Open team home as he was 13th overall, 9th amongst the GPS. Ryan Gilmour sets very high standards for himself and is certainly his own toughest critic, so he wasn’t pleased with his 14th, 10th GPS result. True, it wasn’t as strong as his recent form, but none too shabby! We expect to see him back up towards the front of the pack in coming weeks. Isaac Lanham didn’t quite hit his mark in line with his season performances, yet he was still a solid 19th, 11th GPS. James Bestic also didn’t have his ‘mojo’ last week and was below his own expectations, which are always high, as he was 26th, 18th GPS, completing our Open Team result of 3rd Overall, 2nd amongst the GPS teams. These blokes shouldn’t be too hard on themselves, as we are super pleased with their season long effort! We do know that whatever the result, it was their best on the day, and we can ask for no more!
In the ‘Wash Up’ from the inaugural Northbridge Shore Cross Country, we can be pleased with the course and that we have found a home for the event for many years to come. It’s been said that ‘many hands make light work’, and this was certainly the case last Saturday when numerous helpers rallied around the Shore Cross Country fraternity to lend a hand. As such, it would be remiss of me not to thank a few people following the event. Starting with the Shore Cross Country coaching team for their work and encouragement. Certainly, Mr Sean Marsden and the ground staff at Northbridge, whose setup was fabulous, as were the grounds. Mr David Pickerd and the Shore Maintenance team for their behind the scenes toil and assistance. The Shore IT team for the PA setup. Mrs Gaby Hunter and her team in the canteen who were on point with tasty goodies and drinks. Mrs Nikki Black for her assistance with photos! Lastly, but certainly not least, to those staff and parents who went the extra mile and turned up to help and, of course, Mr Mark Ticehurst for his support, guidance and work. It was great to have the Headmaster join us, and we were delighted with his support.
Shore Cross Country Machine of the Week: It was a difficult decision in separating Hugo Stewart and Ben Frantz as our Machine last Saturday. The nod eventually being given to Ben for his tenacious and ground-breaking run! Love it!
Excitedly, we look toward 2025!
Good running,
Mr M Spratt
MIC Cross Country