Cross Country Report
St Aloysius and Waverley Invitation, Upjohn Park – Saturday 4 May 2024
It was fabulous to see The Blue Street Boys back on deck last Saturday for the Aloysius and Waverley Invitation Cross Country at Upjohn Park. The weather looked dicey, yet conditions were mild, and the 2024 GPS/CAS got underway! Many Shore aficionados have been excited about our prospects across the three age divisions this year, as we have plenty of talent in our ranks and increasing depth. As last Saturday was a Trial and hence not a point-scoring race, it afforded the opportunity to experiment with racing a few boys up in the Opens as we look to secure a ‘ThreePeat’ in the Opens… It will be tight! It is always great to get live scoring updates during the races as Rev Benn and Mr Friend; possibly the two best finger counters I know, keep us all in the loop!
The Juniors kicked the season off promptly at 9am. They were led by Henry Grieve for the duration of the 4km+ course (slightly longer than allowed in the by-laws, thankfully it was a trial) as he placed a very commendable 15th overall to be 6th amongst the GPS competitors. Nice! I think he is destined to be a regular Top Ten finisher as he improves throughout the season. Harrison Thomas had a very pleasing first outing to be 25th and managed to just hold off a fast-finishing teammate, Archie Watson, by the narrowest of margins as he was 26th. Don’t we love such competition between ourselves! George Harvey started a little conservatively yet finished strongly to complete our Junior Team result of 5th overall to be 2nd amongst the GPS Schools. We should be closer to the top step of the podium once Toby Ward manages to shake off the lurgy and be back on deck, as we missed him! Elliot Smith deserves a mention as he possibly paid the price for a little too much speed in the first lap, yet finished strongly to be 55th, and I expect he may very well be a member of our point-scoring team soon.
Our Intermediates had their ranks weakened a little as I had Hugo Stewart and Tom Gray dip their toes in Open water. However, I’m super excited by the depth we have in the Inters this season. Jonty Jagger had a great first run as he placed 20th overall, 6th GPS, which will build confidence moving forward. Will ‘twinkletoes’ Bestic was not far adrift in his glittery and blingy new wheels (not sure who chose them), in 24th to snavel a Top Ten amongst the GPS boys. Ben Frantz continues to impress, and doesn’t he love his running, as he was 27th, and James Warren completed our Intermediate team result of 4th, 2nd amongst the GPS!
We were waiting with much anticipation to see what the lay of land appeared to be in the Opens. We think we are in with a chance again this year, but you never know. Captain Lachy Brown wisely rested a nasty blister on his foot and didn’t race, looking ahead to the point-scoring competition proper next week. Ryan Gilmour was only too happy to step up and lead the Shore Open charge as he placed a very pleasing 5th overall to be 4th amongst the GPS. It was also great to unveil one of our Shore ‘Secret Weapons’ in the Opens race, and Isaac Lanham did not disappoint as he was our 2nd Shore athlete home in 8th amongst the GPS! I’m so excited! He even managed to finish ahead of James Bestic, fresh out of the pool, who I can’t imagine being overly happy about that, and I expect him to be surging forward as the season progresses. We love his competitive drive! Hugo Stewart did exactly what I thought he would do running up from the Inters as he secured a very commendable 30th and completed a great team result of 2nd amongst the GPS. We all realise that it is critical that our 4th team member each week is in touch as the cumulative season long GPS point score doesn’t afford a ‘week off’ during the competition… We hope to add another Secret Weapon. Here’s looking at you, Lachie, to our quiver as the season progresses!
Shore Cross Country Machine of the Week
It was hard to go past Ryan Gilmour last weekend, though he will have some stiff competition for this year for weekly honours!
We are off to Centennial Park for the High Invitation tomorrow, which is Competition #1 for 2024 season, sharpen your spikes!
Good running,
Mr M Spratt
MIC Cross Country
Top image: Hot start!
