Running the good race

It was a picture perfect day for over 900 runners at the diocesan primary cross country last Wednesday at the Tarro Recreational grounds. There were some impressive times on the day and some very close finishes. The top 8 in each division progresses to the NSWCPS Championships at Sydney Motor Park.

Bernadette Duggan PUBLISHED May 24, 2016 Comments

The top three runners from each age category were:

Males: 8/9 years

Abraham Russell from St Patrick’s Lochinvar
Angus Anson-Smith from St James’ Kotara South
Morgan Coen from St Aloysius Chisholm

Females: 8/9 years

Sienna Newton from St John the Baptist Maitland
Evelyn Howard from St James’ Muswellbrook
Darcy Taaffe from St Joseph’s Merriwa

Males: 10 years

Magook Dengjonch from St Columba’s Adamstown
Charlie Daniels from St James’ Muswellbrook
Jack Francis from St Joseph’s Merewether

Females: 10 years

Saffron Shiels from St Paul’s Gateshead
Molly Salvador from St John Vianney Morisset
Karlia Bramble from St Therese’s New Lambton

Males: 11 years

Thomas Elder from Holy Name Forster
Bradley Heggie from St Michael’s Nelson Bay
Cael Mowbray from St Therese’s New Lambton

Females: 11 years

Makaela Hinde from St Catherine’s Singleton
Lillianne Samson from St Therese’s New Lambton
Evie Jones from St James’ Muswellbrook

Males: 12/13 years

James Reid from St Joseph’s Merewether
Taye Cochrane from St Joseph’s Taree
Fletcher Sharpe from St Patrick’s Cessnock

Females: 12/13 years

Luchia Burgess from St Catherine’s Singleton
Abigail Howard from St James’ Muswellbrook
Ellen Hughes from St Therese’s New Lambton

Close to $500 was raised from the barbecue with all proceeds going to the SIMS Cambodia project.

A good news story from the cross country: Sienna Newton (pictured below) who won the girls 8/9yrs category in a speedy time of 00:08:49 also won this category as an 8-year-old last year. Following the 2015 diocesan carnival, Sienna was diagnosed with a brain tumour; our 2016 carnival date was 12 months to the day that Sienna had her brain tumour removed at Westmead Children’s Hospital. Following three months of treatment, this talented, determined and inspirational young runner is on her road to recovery as well as the NSWCPS Championships where her time would have placed her equal 1^st last year had she been able to run. After this year’s carnival Sienna’s parents drove her to Sydney for her three monthly scan and the results were clear. I know Sienna is determined to make the Polding team for the Primary Schools Sports Association and I’m sure she will. Either way, her experiences highlight how important sport can be to an individual’s wellbeing.

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Category Catholic Schools