XC3, State XC Champs - Race Report

15/08/2020

Cloudy 15 deg, humidity 66%, wind 15.6km/h from WSW

A move from Victoria Park to the North Adelaide golf course for the State Cross Country Championships provided competitors their toughest challenge yet – fitting for a championship. Big fields compared to recent years were the order of the day. Most of South Australia’s distance talent was on show across all age-groups. Despite some technical difficulties it was great to have a live stream thanks to Sportitude.com.au. These Championships were successful because of the support of athletes of all abilities, the officials, volunteers and the spectators who came out to support athletes.
 

The Women’s race, in the absence of Jessica Stenson was always likely to be a three-way contest between Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN), Tara Palm (AH) and Caitlin Adams (HILLS). As expected, the three women were the early leaders and stayed as a pack, swapping positions, until around the half-way point of the race. Brooke Himes (SAINTS) moved through the field to go into fourth. Not long after the start of the 4^th lap Izzi was the first to drop off the pace and was 30m behind Tara and Caitlin at the 8k mark. Tara made her move shortly into the last lap and got the vital gap on Caitlin. Tara Palm (AH) went onto win with some strong running over the last kilometre to keep Caitlin Adams (HILLS) at bay, but there wasn’t any opportunity to take it easy. Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN) was able to stay in touch to take bronze.

Placings: 1. Tara Palm (AH) 34.53, 2. Caitlan Adams (HILLS) 34.58, 3. Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN) 35.13, Brooke Hines (SAINTS) 38.39, 5. Emma Kraft (HILLS) 39.31, 6. Sophie Morphett (PEM) 39.35, 7. Sarah Short (AH) 40.06, 8. Claire Hodgart (SAINTS) 41.19, 9. Brooke Webb (HILLS) 41.37, 10. Ruth Farrimond (HILLS) 45.10.

Teams: 1. Hills Districts (9), Saints (12)

The Men’s race had a big field so early positioning was important over the twisty start. This time it is was Riley Cocks (FLN) who led Adrian Potter (AH), Isaac Heyne (PEM), Max Stevens (HILLS), Jacob Cocks (FLN), and Matthew Clarke (HILLS) in single file. By the time the race had settled down at the end of the first lap Clarke led Potter and Riley Cocks, with a small gap to Stevens and Heyne, Jacobs Cocks and Steven McKenna (AH). Through 4k Clarke, Potter and Riley Cocks had a good gap to Stevens, Jacob Cocks and Heyne with McKenna falling behind but well clear of anyone else. Clarke got a small break over Potter and Riley Cocks on the uphill before the 6k mark. Stevens and Jacob Cocks were now in a battle for fourth. Clarke extended his lead slightly on the fourth lap, but Riley Cocks was now the only one close enough to challenge for the title. On the final lap Mathew Clarke (HILLS) didn’t have it all his own way but kept his lead to take the title from Riley Cocks (FLN) who closed the gap. Adrian Potter (AH) was not far behind in third. Jacob Cocks (FLN) pulled further ahead of Max Stevens (HILLS) to take fourth. 

Placings: 1. Matthew Clarke (HILLS) 29.45, 2. Riley Cocks (FLN) 29.53, 3. Adrian Potter (AH) 30.03, Jacob Cocks (FLN) 30.16, Max Stevens (HILLS) 30.30, Steven McKenna (AH) 31.21, 7. Isaac Heyne (PEM) 31.33, Lachlan Scott (FLN) 31.54, 9. Harrison Bagley (AH) 32.09, 10. Dylan Stenson (SAINTS) 32.17.

Teams: 1. Flinders (13), Hills Districts (15), Adelaide Harriers (17).
 

Para Results – Athletes from four different classes competed at these Championships. In the 3k event Angus Hincksman T38 (SAC) ran well to win his class. While Madelene McNeil T13 (FLN) might have been at the back but she was able to complete the course with the help of her guide. In the Open 10k Timon Sideris T20 (HILLS) back up his 10k road win with another impressive performance ahead of Tony Scoleri T46 (HILLS).

Women (U/14) 3k – A fantastic tussle between three talented young athletes who gave their all up the final climb. In the end it was a close finish with Tessa Ebert (PA) holding off the fast finishing Asha Lawson (FLN) and Malaika McLeod (SAINTS).

Men (U/14) 3k – Another solid race with Jack Williams (SAINTS) getting in front early and holding off Jonathan George (FLN) with James McManus (PA) in third.

Women (U/16) 4k – This race was dominated by the talented Mikaela Jones (MTB) with Sasha Hardon (SAINTS) and Tiana Cetta (UC) in second and third.

Men (U/16) 4k – Jonathan Harris (SAINTS) has been unbeatable this season and he was able to match it with the U/18s. Jonathan was pushed by Torben Roberts (FLN) and Sam Creighton (PEM).

Women (U/18) 4k – Over the two laps nothing much separated Caitlin Slobedman (HILLS) and Victoria Cholsh (WA). Victoria was able to take out a well earnt title.

Men (U/18) 6k – This was a highly anticipated race between a number of highly credentialed athletes. Today it was Tom Millard (AH) who got away from his rivals on the second lap to impress those watching. Cael Mulhollad (AH) made it a Harriers one-two after coming from behind to pass Adam Goddard (SAINTS).

Women (U/20) 6k – Charlotte Ruddenklau (PEM) grabbed the lead late into the first lap and was never heading to win the U/20 title. Teammate Lucy Mauviel (PEM) had enough in reserve to keep second in front of Rosa Twyford (WA).

Men (U/20) 8k – Races can be won by good decision making. Marco Els (FLN) decision to go with the early pace set by the Open athletes paid dividends as he was able to get an early lead. Despite Riley Konecny (PA) cutting the lead Marco had a ‘gun to tape’ win. Joe Cross (PEM) worked hard over the last lap to grab third. 

Women (O/35) 6k – Adelaide Harriers pair of Ciara Foster (AH) and Elizabeth Stavreski (AH) were one-two, with Lisa Davis (HILLS) third.

Men (O/35) 8k – Another Harriers one-two with Michael Nitschke (AH) getting the better of Paul Mulholland (AH) and Robert Killmier (FLN).

Women (O/50) 6k – Adelaide Harriers demonstrated their strength at the older age groups with Michelle Leydon (AH) and Patricia Laird (AH) getting another one-two. Felicity Alexander (HILLS) was third.

Men (O/50) 8k – Colin Ambrose (FLN) has dominated this age group this season and he added another title with another impressive display. Pieter de Wit (AH) got the better of teammate Tony Jarrett (AH).
 

In the Men’s Open competitions, all three major teams cancelled each other out with AH (18), Hills (18) and FLN (17) dominating the points. The overall points set up a final round with Flinders (109) holding a seven point lead over Adelaide Harriers (102).  In the O35&O50 Adelaide Harriers (189) have an unbeatable lead over Flinders (129), as do Adelaide Harriers (123) to Flinders (38) in the U18&U20 Premiership. Saints (55) will be looking to hold onto their lead over Flinders (43) in the U14&U16 premiership.

Hills Districts (115) have the women’s title sewn up with Flinders (41) in second. Adelaide Harriers (92) have been dominant in the O35&O50 competition leading Hills Districts (35). In the U18&U20 Pembroke (26) are clear leaders over Western Athletics (12). All season the U14&U16 competition has been close after round 5 Flinders (43) have a one point lead over Saints (42) with Tea Tree Gully (40) just behind.
 

Report thanks to Paul Sutcliffe - ASA Statistician