XCR’22 ROUND 3: CROSS COUNTRY AT CRUDEN FARM

On a day that was probably better suited for a Garden Party at the magnificent grounds of the former Murdoch property, 33 DVAC distance athletes slugged it out on a tough Cross Country course. The slopes were relentless, the stretches of mud lay around every corner and the distance was enough to test the mettle of every athlete. For all of the challenge there was a good vibe in the Valley tent at the end of the day.

TEAM SUCCESS

The efforts of the Valley team members were rewarded with some great results, highlighted by the Open Women’s Division 2 team finishing in second place and move into third place on the season ladder.

The Men’s 60+ Short Course team of Rob Wendel, Lyle Douglas & Greg Luck showed that their team win at St Anne’s, Ravenswood, was no fluke when they defended their top ranking at Cruden Farm.

Other team results were:

Women – Division 4 – 5^th; 40+ - 11^th; 50+ - 9^th; Under 18 – 3^rd; Under 16 – 2^nd.

Men – Division 2 – 4^th; Division 5 – 5^th; 40+ - 18^th; 50+ - 10^th; Under 16 – 8^th.

SLIP SLIDIN AWAY

Where’s Shania? The Valley watchers called out when Shania Murray failed to pass by the 8km mark in her expected position which was well up in the field. After a few anxious moments, Shania appeared covered in mud. In the final lap, Shania put up a gallant fight to reclaim her original position: she passed three other women in the final kilometre to finish in sixth place in a time of 45:44. The DVAC Division 2 team was completed by Jessica Campbell, 52:50, Merlina Hession, 53:39, and Vula Sheens, 54:21.

CADEN CRUISES AT CRUDEN

Caden Murray achieved his best result for the season at Cruden Farm when he crossed in 23^rd place in a time of 39:47. Caden went out with a plan to ‘hold the pace & feel comfortable’ to avoid any drop off in the back half of the race. His plan succeeded and he averaged 3’21” km’s throughout the 12km race, kicking home over the last km in 3’12” pace. The DVAC Division 2 team was completed by Tim Logan, 40:04, Blake Barnes, 44:29, Jaryd Clifford, 44:41, Charles Jacobson, 46:23, and club President, Matthew Thompson, 57:23.

REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

AV took kindly to an appeal that a DVAC Open athlete should be counted as a scoring athlete despite not having “entered” prior to entries closing by Wednesday at midday for that round of XCR. As a results, the DVAC Men’s Division 5 have finished in 5^th place and the Division 7 team have moved up to 3^rd place.

JUNIOR NEWS

The distances set for the Juniors at Cruden Farm were longer that many had raced before and to it was a joy to see the way they held their form and pace right to the finish line. DVAC had a complete team for the Women Under 16 – Ally Brooks, Jamieson Lander & Poppy Scot-Dalgleish – who finished in second place, but stay in top position on the season ladder.

Team scores are still registered by incomplete teams so the efforts of every runner counts. Matilda L’Estrange & Sugi Neecowen have flown the Valley flag in the Women Under 18 for three rounds and currently hold down equal second position on the season ladder. Wanted - one more Under 18 athlete!

Tyler Murphy, 11^th in MU18 and Cameron Ellis, 15^th in MU16 made welcome returns to competition. Under 16 athletes, Georgia L’Estrange & Rhodri Whelan were courageous out on the slopes of Cruden Farm coping with the challenges of the course & a distance they had never run before.

THANKS …

Having the Valley tent set up when we arrive is all due to the great work of David Armstrong. Rick Clarke & Damien Clifford led a growing band of helpers at the end of the day when it was time to pack the tent back in the Van. Thanks to Lyn Davis for timekeeping throughout the day. Maryann Murray coordinated the Café Valley.

AV XCR’22 ROUND 3

CROSS COUNTRY AT CRUDEN FARM

Saturday 19 June 2022

DVAC Results:

Women:

WOpen
12km: Shania Murray 45:44; Jessica Campbell 52:50; Merlina Hession 53:39; Vula Sheens 54:21; Alana Barnes 58:41; Debbie McKenzie 1:03:59; Gayle Clifford 1:36:35;

Team Scores:

W Division 2: 2^nd - Positions 6, 51, 55, 58

W Division 4: 5^th – Positions 85, 104, 134

W 40+: 11^th – Positions 14, 42, 64

W50+: 9^th – Positions 17, 31

W18
6km: Matilda L'estrange 24:49; Sugi Neecowen 29:14;

Team Score:

W U18 – 3^rd – Positions 5, 14

W16
6km: Ally Brooks 25:17; Jamieson Lander 26:10; Poppy Scot-Dalgleish 26:12; Georgia L'estrange 29:40;

Team Score:

W U16 – 2^nd – Positions 8, 11, 12

WU16 – 10^th – Position 18

Men:
MOpen

12km: Caden Murray 39:47; Tim Logan 40:04; Blake Barnes 44:29; Jaryd Clifford 44:41; Charles Jacobson 46:23; Matthew Thompson 50:45; Aaron Scot-Dalgleish 51:08; Jordan Chapman 54:09; Peter Ramsay 54:41; Aaron Bourne 55:24; Andrew McKenzie 57:23; Damien Clifford 1:00:13; Scott Barnes 1:00:41; Rick Clarke 1:03:07;

Team Scores:

M Division 2: 4^th - Positions 23, 27, 97, 105, 137, 192

M Division 5: 5^th – Positions 201, 238, 245, 250

M Division 7: 3^rd – Positions 269, 291, 292, 305

M40+:18^th – Positions 22, 55, 86

33^rd – Positions 90, 103, 123

49^th – Positions 1124, 135

M50+: 10^th – Positions 19, 35, 46

16^th – Positions 61, 62, 72

M60+: 9^th - Positions 5

M18
8km: Tyler Murphy 29:51;

Team Score:

M U18: 9^th – Positions 11

M16
6km: Cameron Ellis 22:44; Rhodri Whelan 25:17;

Team Score:

M U16: 8^th – Positions 15, 26

M60
8km: Rob Wendel 39:38; Lyal Douglas 43:15; Greg Luck 45:30;

Team Score:

M60+ Short Course: 1^st – Positions 4, 7, 8