Success at diocesan cross country events

This year’s diocesan cross country events saw outstanding results for schools throughout our diocese, as students ran the good race. 

Talented athletes from St Joseph’s Primary School, Merriwa, St Pius X Primary School, Windale, St Paul’s Primary School, Gateshead, St Brigid’s Primary School, Raymond Terrace and St Clare’s High School, Taree, put it all on the track to compete for the championship title.

On Tuesday 16 May, selected students from our primary schools gathered together in Tarro to run the cross country course at the reserve sportsground.

It was an early start for teachers, parents and 13 students from St Joseph’s Merriwa who travelled to Tarro for the carnival. With weeks of training under their belt, all students were full of excitement holding back their nerves for the race.

While many students crossed the finished line beating their personal best, Year 5 student Darcy Taaffe placed 3rd out of 117 runners in her age group with an impressive time of 8:36 minutes and will now go onto compete at Polding Cross Country in June.

Although small in numbers, the St Pius X Windale cross country squad made up for it with their determination. All four students showed tremendous school spirit and performed extremely well on the day.

18 students from St Paul's Gateshead represented their school coming home with great results. Year 3 student Braith Edmunds placed 20th out of 116 runners and Olivia Le Guier came 27th out of 118 people. Mason Andrews will also proceed onto the Polding level at Eastern Creek.

Students from St Brigid’s Raymond Terrace were full on energy and well prepared to run the 3km track. The sheer grit and determination on students faces and complete fear on others proves their passion and enjoyment at such events. All students encouraged and supported their peers to do their best.

Over at Glenbawn Dam in Scone, students from St Clare’s Taree joined other high school representatives to compete in the cross country championships. The Year 12 girls group saw Georgia Daley place first, with Genevieve Bawden and Katarina Kladis qualifying to run at the next level cross country in Sydney in June. Another five students placed in the top 10 in their respective age divisions.

All competitors crossed the finish line showing tremendous school spirit, sportsmanship and support with spectators on the sideline cheering their teams along.

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Gabrielle Sutherland Image
Gabrielle Sutherland

Gabrielle Sutherland is a Marketing & Communications Officer for the Catholic Schools Office and a regular contributor to mnnews.today and Aurora.