By Jamie Strudley
The opening round of XCR17, Athletics Victoria’s cross country and road interclub series, was held in glorious conditions at Jells Park.
More than 900 athletes from clubs throughout Victoria welcomed the XCR17 season with some outstanding performances and races.
Yarra Ranges Athletics had 13 teams complete the deceptively tough course.
Highlights were the win by the Women’s under-16 team and a silver to the Women’s under-14 team.
Also, great to welcome athletes competing for the club for the first time including Katie Clarke, Alexis Sketchley, Kate Van Duuren, Jemima Wilson, Indi Linde, Maddie Laven, Dean Tromp, James Anderson, Brent Linde and David Gorman.
Unofficial results are:
Women Div.2 10th Lauren Starr 24.40 Georgia Brock 30.05 Amy Veenendaal 29.31 Judy May 25.48;
Women Div.4 9th Claire Knell 33.49 Sue McCall 32.15 Katie Clarke 33.07;
Women Div.5 9th Laura DiGregorio 34.34 Erika Bedyn 32.58 Alexis Sketchley 29.15;
Women 40+ 9th Amanda Laven 25.47 Kate Van Duuren 39.07 Sarah Love 29.50;
Women 20 5th Grace Muller 12.43 Olivia Twining 14.23 Jemima Wilson 14.09;
Women 16 1st Georgia Laven 10.32 Ruby Dixon 11.15 Zoe Sibley 12.17;
Women 14 2nd Mia Strudley 12.30 Indi Linde 12.44 Maddie Laven 11.16 Steve Blair 24.16;
Men Div.3 4th Steve Blair 24.16 Dean Tromp 20.11 Michael Clarke 23.16 Dean Jackson 22.53 James Laven 20.59;
Men Div.5 5th Graham Coutts 24.19 James Anderson 24.15 Jamie Strudley 24.48 Harry Norman 22.38;
Men Div.7 9th Craig Hewitson 27.10 Mitchel Mullins 25.07 Brent Linde 27.56 David Gorman 30.17;
Men 50+ 11th Dave Laven 26.32 Martin Steer 29.55 Bryan Ackerly 24.4;
Men 16 10th Camden Hewitson 12.05 Taj Linde 12.29 Liam Russell 12.24;
Men 16 12th Mitch Deckert 11.26 Alex Van Duuren 14.33 Jayden Clarke 13.28;
Men 14 6th Angus Norman 12.13 James Love 12.53 Zac Clarke 11.30.
Round 2 of the Yarra Ranges Athletics cross country season was held over a revised course at Lillydale Lake. Great to see a large number of athletes, parents and supporters return after a week off.
The next round will be on Saturday 29 April at Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coldstream.
Registration from 8.30am.
Diary note: the AGM will be held at the Lilydale Bowls Club on Sunday 7 March, followed by pizza and some barefoot bowling for those interested.
The club welcomes all athletes of any age or ability.
For information on how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check out the Facebook page.
