A record number of runners from PCS made the trek to The Sydney International Equestrian Centre last Friday for the running of the CSSA State Cross Country.
The Primary Schools Competition was held first. Arabella McCutcheon, Pippa Westcott, Lilee Bell and Lara Amery competed in the 8/9 girls race. These young girls all running for the first time in a state competition, placed 63rd, 82nd, 108th and 148th respectively, out of a field of over 200 competitors. Jacques van Wyk finished in 84th place which was a great result. Clare Amery ran an amazing 2km race in the 10 years girls. With 168 competitors on the track for the race, Clare’s placing of 33rd was a brilliant result. Jack Greenland represented the 10 years boys and ran the hilly 2km track to come 121st place out of a field of 181. Darcy Bell and Lachlan Unger (11 years boys) were the first to run the 3km track against a large field of competitors. They can be very proud of their placings of 76th and 127th respectively. Chloe Amery and Desiree Kirsten were competitors in the 12 years girls, running the 3km course. Desiree ran a very good race placing 126th, crossing the line in style in front of her cheering peers and PCS families. Chloe continued the family success with an incredible run, finishing in 14th place in a field of 153 competitors. Chloe’s was the best PCS result of they day and she narrowly missed out on being selected to represent PCS at the Combined Independent School carnival. Oliver Westcott and Oliver Mayo ran the 3km track in the 12/13 years division. The boys racing against more than 150 other students and finished well with placings of 104th for Oliver Westcott and 110th for Oliver Mayo.
After lunch the High School competition kicked off. Scott Green and WIlliam Greenland lined up for the 16 years boys on the 6km track. Both boys put in a huge effort over this long event and placed 60th and 63rd respectively. Libby Pepper who ran 4km in the 15 years girls division, recorded the best placing for our High School competitors of 32nd; an outstanding result. Edward Mayo (78th), Nick Unger (91st) and Logan Varcoe (92nd), pushed themselves to the limit as they raced in the 15 years boys over the 4km track. Jack McMaster (55th), Tyler Boland (99th), William Mayo (101st) and Toby Field (112th) all ran in the 14 years boys against a field of around 130 students. The final race for our PCS representatives was the 13 years boys. Thomas McIntyre and Asail Sadykov, brought their best to the track finishing in 74th and 105th place respectively out of a large field.
More importantly than the great results achieved by these very determined students, was the way in which each of these 24 students carried themselves on the day. Each student demonstrated excellence and determination throughout the competition, performing to the very best of their abilities and they also showed great respect as they cheered ours and other competitors on throughout the day. Their behaviour was exemplary and they represented PCS very well. Congratulations on a job well done!
Thank you to all the parents and other supporters who drove students to Sydney and back and also supported the students on the day.
Mrs Jacquelyn Greenland