XCR23 RD 4: FIGHTBACK STARTS FOR VALLEY MEN

On the windswept slopes of Cruden Farm, Langwarren, the Diamond Valley Athletic Club’s Division 2 Men’s team had their best result for the season and commenced what they hope to be the start of a fightback from the brink of relegation. Going into Round 4 of the 2023 Winter season of Cross Country the DVAC team was placed on the bottom of the 14 team ladder. By the end of the 12km Cross Country race at Cruden Farm, the DVAC Division 2 team, formed by the first six DVAC runners to cross the line, had finished in 7^th place and earned enough points to climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Caden Murray led the Division 2 team home, covering the 12km undulating course in 41:17 and finishing in 55^th position in a field of 336. Caden was followed in by Chris Rancie, 42:34, Dylan Littlejohn, 44:47, Blake Barnes, 45:41, Jarryd Cripps, 47:24, and James Telford, 47:26. While off the bottom of the ladder, the team still has a challenge to climb out of the relegation zone over the remaining six rounds of competition.

A strong showing by the DVAC senior women’s team meant that they move from sixth place on the season ladder to equal fourth. Shania Murray led the DVAC Women’s Division 2 team home at Cruden Farm with a strong run, crossing in 12^th place in a time of 46:37. Completing the four member team were Taylor Radatti, 55:24, Adina Morrow, 56:46, and Rebecca Tonkin, 1:01:13.

The only DVAC athlete to claim top honours on the day was Heidi Kuppler in the Women’s Under 14 5km race. In a busy week of Cross Country racing, Heidi had won the School Sport VictoriaNorthern Zone Metro Cross Country finals 11 Years 3km Cross Country at the Kilmore Race Course in 10:57 on the Wednesday before tackling the slopes of Cruden Farm on Saturday. At Cruden Farm, Heidi won the Women’s Under 14 5km Cross Country race in a time of 19:39.

Two DVAC Junior Women’s teams finished 3^rd in the Teams results. The DVAC Women Under 18 team of Matilda L’Estrange (19:46) and Poppy Scot-Dalgleish (21:13) were placed third in the WU18 5km Teams competition. In the WU16 Teams competition, Rose Jarvis (20:53), Georgia L’Estrange (22:28) and Lucy Johns (23:00) combined to take third place.

Defending champions in the Men’s 60+ Short Course competition from the 2022 Winter season, Rob Wendel, Greg Luck and Lyle Douglas were placed second over the 7km course at Cruden Farm. Rob Wendel, 35:57 (4^th), Greg Luck, 37:48 (5^th) and Lyle Douglas, 38:07 (6^th) will be looking to reclaim top honours at the next outing.

A total of 39 DVAC athletes raced in the XCR23 Rd 4 races at Cruden Farm. There were 14 Women (8 Open and 6 Juniors) and 25 Men (14 Open and 11 Juniors) taking part in the races at Cruden Farm. This was up from the total of 33 DVAC competitors at Cruden Farm in 2022.

CRUDEN CAPERS

• XCR’23 Rd 4 celebrated AV’s Heritage Round. Aaron Scot-Dalgleish was willing to wear David Armstrong’s (very) old singlet if it meant a chance of winning a pair of ON Shoes. But where did Brett Maloney get his old singlet? Out of the wardrobe, apparently. We forget that Brett was an important part the DVAC history some time ago. Good luck, Brett.
• The DVAC Tent stood up to the strong winds at Cruden thanks to the extra pegs attached by David Armstrong. As usual, great position. Thanks to the happy team that packed up at the end of the day.
• The post-race spread is becoming fairly competitive when we are asked at Training to complete a survey about the sort of cake we want Angela Hennel to bake. The people did speak … they voted for a Lemon and Coconut delicacy. Master chef comes to the Valley! Note: My Killer Pythons were still popular.
• Thanks to Lyn Davis for the DVAC Timekeeping. There are occasions when the club times can help support an athlete to claim points for the club. There were a number of DVAC Photographers on the day. Check Facebook.

XCR’23 Round 4: Cross Country at Cruden Farm

Cruden Farm, Langwarren

Saturday 17 June 2023

DVAC Results:

Female Open (Field of 151)
12km: Shania Murray 46:37 (12^th); Taylor Radatti 55:24 (69^th); Adina Morrow 56:46 (76^th); Rebecca Tonkin 1:01:13 (104^th); Debbie McKenzie 1:02:39 (W50 15^th/22); Joanne Clarke 1:09:14 (W55 8^th/15); Jo Moxon 1:11:52 (W55 9^th/15); Karen Quinn 1:18:28 (W55 12^th/15);
Female 18 (Field of 29)
5km: Matilda L'Estrange 19:46 (4^th); Poppy Scot-Dalgleish 21:13 (14^th);
Female 16 (Field of 17)
5km: Rose Jarvis 20:53 (7^th); Georgia L'Estrange 22:28 (12^th); Lucy Johns 23:00 (14^th);
Female 14 (Field of 12)
5km: Heidi Kuppler 19:39 (1^st);
Male Open (Field of 336)
12km: Caden Murray 41:17 (55^th); Chris Rancie 42:34 (71^st); Dylan Littlejohn 44:47 (119^th); Blake Barnes 45:41(132^nd); Jarryd Cripps 47:24 (159^th); James Telford 47:26 (161^st); Daniel Rees 50:19 (M40 14^th/26); Matthew Thompson 50:56 (211^th); Aaron Scot-Dalgleish 51:32 (M50 11/32); Scott Barnes 54:52 (M50 22/32); Aaron Bourne 58:18 (M45 29/32); Andrew McKenzie 1:00:31; Brett Maloney 1:03:00 (M50 28/32) ; Patrick Clarke 1:03:59 (M50 29/32);
Male 20 (Field of 20)
7km: Dillon Vidanapathirana 38:16 (20^th);
Male 18
7km: Rhodri Whelan 27:44; Joel Imbriano 28:06; Jordan Rudd 30:02;
Male 16 (Field of 33)
5km: Ethan Armstrong-Bourne 17:26 (6^th); Glen Imbriano 21:53 (30^th); Jack Daley 26:21 (33^rd);
Male 14 (Field of 16)
5km: Logan Armstrong-Bourne 20:39 (11^th);
Male 60 (Field of 12)
7km: Rob Wendel 35:57 (4^th); Greg Luck 37:48 (5^th); Lyal Douglas 38:07 (6^th);

DVAC TEAM RESULTS:

WOMEN:

Open:

Division 2: (Shania Murray, Taylor Radatti, Adina Morrow, Rebecca Tonkin) 4^th/12;

Division 4: (Debbie McKenzie, Joanne Clarke, Jo Moxon) 5^th/8;

Division 5: (Karen Quinn) 10^th/10

Women 40+: (Debbie McKenzie, Joanne Clarke, Jo Moxon) 13^th/28

Women 40+: (Karen Quinn) 26^th/28

Women 50+: (Debbie McKenzie, Joanne Clarke, Jo Moxon) 7^th/20

Women 50+: (Karen Quinn) 19^th/20

Under 18: (Matilda L’Estrange, Poppy Scot-Dalgleish) 3^rd/20

Under 16: (Rose Jarvis, Georgia L’Estrange, Lucy Johns) 3^rd/8

Under 14: (Heidi Kuppler) 4^th/8

MEN

Open:

Division 2: (Caden Murray; Chris Rancie; Dylan Littlejohn; Blake Barnes; Jarryd Cripps; James Telford) 7^th/14

Division 5: (Daniel Rees; Matthew Thompson; Aaron Scot-Dalgleish; Scott Barnes): 4^th/11

Division 7: (Aaron Bourne; Andrew McKenzie; Brett Maloney; Patrick Clarke); 3^rd/11

Men 40+ (1): (Daniel Rees, Matthew Thompson, Aaron Scott-Dalgleish) 17^th/61

Men 40+ (2): (Scott Barnes; Aaron Bourne; Andrew McKenzie); 36/61

Men 40+ (3): (Andrew McKenzie: Brett Maloney; Patrick Clarke); 57^th/61

Men 50+: (Aaron Scot-Dalgleish; Scott Barnes; Andrew McKenzie); 11^th/40

Men 50+: (Brett Maloney; Patrick Clarke: 27^th/40

Men 60+ Short Course: (Rob Wendel, Greg Luck, Lyal Douglas) 2^nd/6

Under 20: (Dylan Vidanapathirana) 12^th/12

Under 16: (Ethan Armstrong-Bourne, Glenn Imbriano, Jack Daley) 6^th/18

Under 14: (Logan Armstrong-Bourne) 10^th/13