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.

Follow mnnews.today on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.