CROSS COUNTRY SEASON OFF TO A GOOD START AT THE VALLEY

The foundations for a strong Cross Country season at Diamond Valley were set down at the opening event on the Athletics Victoria ‘Winter’ calendar, the Cross Country Relays at Jells Park, Waverley. In ideal conditions to open the Cross Country season 44 DVAC athletes took to the hills of Jells Park. Nineteen women made up six teams while 25 men formed into 7 teams. There were 5 Open Valley teams, 4 Junior teams and 4 Master teams. In 2022 DVAC’s turnout at the same event numbered 25, so the improvement is considerable.

The four member DVAC Open Women’s team in Division 2 completed the total of 24km in 1:39:23 to finish in 5^th position out of the 12 teams. The average pace was just over 4min/km on a testing course. Shania Murray headed the team off to a great start, finishing her 6km leg in 22:39 to be the third fastest in the Division. The other runners to complete the Division 2 team were Jessica Campbell (25:11); Adina Morrow (26:40) and Simone Kuppler (24:53).

The six member DVAC Open Men team in Division 2 completed their 36km journey in 2:15:13 at an average pace of 3:45min/km. Chris Rancie led the team off, running strongly to record the fastest leg with a time of 19:50 for his 6km leg. He was followed by Michael Martello (22:38), James Telford (22:58), Anthony Lynch (22:25), Craig Cassidy (23:08) and Blake Barnes (24:14). The team finished in 13^th place.

The DVAC Women Under 20 (3 x 3km) team finished in 2^nd position. Ally Brooks logged the fastest lap of the park by a Valley junior female, clocking 11:22. Poppy Scot-Dalgleish (12:00) and Sugi Neecowen (13:03) joined Ally on the podium at the Presentations.

The DVAC Women Under 16 (3 x 3km) team of Matilda Johnson (11:29), Luella Wood (12:40) and Heidi Kuppler (11:32) finished second in their Division.

The DVAC Women Division 4 (3 x 6km) team of Taylor Radatti (27:24), Sarah Leeming (26:23) and Rebecca Tonkin (29:03) finished second in their Division.

Ethan Armstrong-Bourne (MU18) clocked the fastest 3km leg by a Valley male junior with a time of 10:38. Felix Morgan (MU16) was the second fastest (11:16) and Rhodri Whelan (MU18) the third fastest (11:25).

Nine athletes made their first appearance for Diamond Valley at Jells Park. These were: Adina Morrow (WOpen); Simone Kuppler (W40+); Rebecca Tonkin (WOpen); Matilda Johnson (WU14); James Telford (MOpen); Jack Daley (MU16); Logan Armstrong-Bourne (MU14); Brett Maloney (M50+) and Lorna Maloney (W40+).

DVAC had three Club Helper duties to fill at Jells Park and these duties were carried out by Kirby Ellis, Darren Rudd and Chris Whelan. A big Thanks to them.

DVAC member, Paul Schofield was at Jells Park acting in his duty as an AV Official.

Thanks go to David Armstrong for having the DVAC Tent in prime position ahead of any other arrivals. Thanks also to the happy team who helped to pack up and transport everything back to the Valley Van.

The next event on the XCR’23 calendar are Road Races (10km for Open, MU20, MU18 and Masters athletes & 3km for WU18 & all U14 & U16 athletes) at Albert Park on Sunday 7^th May 2023. Junior races start at 8:20am and 10km races start at 9:00am. Entries close at midday on Wednesday 3^rd May 2023.

CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS

JELLS PARK

Saturday 22 April 2023

Female Open

Division 2:
4x6km: (Shania Murray: 22:39, Jessica Campbell: 25:11, Adina Morrow: 26:40, Simone Kuppler: 24:53)

Total: 1:39:23; Place 5^th/12

Division 4:

3x6km: (Taylor Radatti: 27:24, Sarah Leeming: 26:23, Rebecca Tonkin: 29:03)

Total: 1:22:50; Place 2^nd/5

Division 5:

3 x 6km: (Karen Quinn: 37:50, Sarah Papadopoulos: 36:04, Lorna Maloney: 30:37)

Total: 1:44:31; Place 6^th/9

Female 20
3x3km: (Poppy Scot-Dalgleish: 12:00, Sugi NeeCowen: 13:03, Ally Brooks: 11:22)

Total: 36:25; Place 2^nd/5

Female 16
3x3km: (Matilda Johnson: 11:29, Luella Wood: 12:40, Heidi Kuppler: 11:32)

Total: 35:41; Place: 2^nd/11 (Invite)

Female 40
3x6km: (Vula Sheens: 26:31, Debbie McKenzie: 29:59, Joanne Clarke: 33:09)

Total: 1:29:39; Place: 6^th/7

Male Open

Division 2:
6x6km: (Chris Rancie: 19:50, Michael Martello: 22:38, James Telford: 22:58, Anthony Lynch: 22:25, Craig Cassidy: 23:08, Blake Barnes: 24:14)

Total: 2:15:13; Place 13^th/14

Division 5:
4x6km: (Matthew Thompson: 24:30, Aaron Scot-Dalgleish: 24:32, Dillon Vidanapathirana: 30:52, Dylan Littlejohn: 27:58)

Total: 1:47:52; Place 10^th/11 (Invite)

Male 18
3x3km: (Ethan Armstrong-Bourne: 10:38, Jordan Rudd: 12:30, Rhodri Whelan: 11:25)

Total: 34:33; Place: 15^th/16

Male 16
3x3km: (Felix Morgan: 11:16, Jack Daley: 12:55, Logan Armstrong-Bourne: 12:06)

Total: 36:17; Place: 15^th/18

Male 40
3x6km: (Daniel Rees: 23:15, Brett Maloney: 28:14, Aaron Bourne: 28:45)

Total: 1:20:14; Place: 12^th/12

Male 50
3x6km: (Andrew McKenzie: 27:48, Patrick Clarke: 30:41, Scott Barnes: 26:34)

Total: 1:25:03; Place: 13^th/18

Male 60
3x6km: (Rob Wendel: 29:49, Greg Luck: 31:40, Lyal Douglas: 35:30) Total: 1:36:59; Place: 7^th/9