Talented juniors from Western Athletics had a successful campaign at last month’s Victorian All Schools Cross Country Championships at Bundoora Park.
Nine of the young guns from Western were selected to represent Victoria at the Australian Cross Country Championships, which will be held at Stromlo Forrest Park in Canberra next month, after their impressive performances at the state titles.
Continuing her good form throughout the season, Mia White, representing MacKillop College, claimed victory in the girls under-14 three-kilometre event, automatically qualifying for national championships along with teammates Yara Taylor and Georgia Muller, who placed 11th and 16th.
In the combined under-15 and under-16 female category, Sophie McMinimee crossed the line eighth overall, but fifth in her age group.
New Western member Ebony Dodemaide, competing in just her second race for Westbourne Grammar School, finished 10th overall and fifth out of all under-15s.
In the men’s under-15 and under-16, Matthew Hussey, for Emmanuel College, finished 11th overall, eighth in his age group. After a good season, Liam Cashin fell short in the under-20 men’s, settling for silver but gaining gold in the schools’ category.
Cody Shanahan and Matthew Schaumberg placed fourth and ninth respectively, both qualified with Cashin for the Australian Championships later this year.
