Highlights from this year's event, raced on a fast, dry and technically challenging course in cool 13 degree conditions, are as follows:
Year 11 runner George Cory Wright, racing against 216 of the best Year 11, 12 and 13 students, exceeded any expections, finishing 12th in a time of 20.05 and securing a place in the New Zealand Secondary Schools' team to race in the Australian Championships on Saturday 20 August. In finishing 12th, George beat many previous national placegetters.
Not to be overshadowed, Charlie Knox, also in Year 11, placed 53rd in a time of 21.25.
James Robertson, in the Year 9 boys' race, gained a top 10 podium finish when after a steady start, raced through the field in the second lap to finish strongly in 6th position and in doing so, beat all but one of the boys who had beaten him in all the Auckland schools and club racing this season.
George Carr-Smith continues to improve every time he races and finished strongly for 22nd out of the 169 competitors in the Junior race with Bruno Corban in his first Nationals, only 15 seconds behind placed 42nd.
For many of the others in the team, the step up from the Regional competition and being their first time at the National Championships, the occasion was intimidating and a step too far this year but hopefully for those who continue to remain in the sport, the experience has shown them the standard required to compete in next year's event to be held in Christchurch.
Full results:
Year 9 Boys
James Robertson, 6th, 10.21
Sebastian Wharton, 47th, 11.08
Tim Matthews, 57th, 11.17 (164 finishers)
The three person team finished 8th
Junior Boys
George Carr-Smith, 22nd, 14.07
Bruno Corban, 42nd, 14.23
James Wharton, 63rd, 14.44
Oliver Rogers, 105th, 15.19
Henry Reynolds, 109th, 15.23
Eddie Day, 117th, 15.34 (169 finishers)
The three person team finished 7th
The six person team finished 5th (our best six person result for several years)
Senior Girls
Alana Sherman, 46th, 16.40
Claire Johnston, 54th, 16.55
Stella Troute, 60th, 17.06
Esta Fowler, 72nd, 17.32
Holly Cook, 83rd, 17.52
Rosie Sommerville, 107th, 19.15
Izzie Ingram, 108th, 19.18
The three person team placed 10th
The six person team placed 7th
Senior Boys 6000m
George Cory Wright, 12th, 20.05 (and NZSSCC selection)
Charlie Knox, 53rd, 21.25
(Only two runners so no team result)
