Report from Robin:
I would like to congratulate all of the JD athletes who braved the cool, damp weather on Saturday morning to participate in the first cross-country race of the season: Sean Thuna, Marissa Stirling, Emma Chong, Kendall Chong, SahadVasanji, Emily Wilson-Bodnar, Kiannah Wright, Quinn Rausch, Rhea Foster and Erin McIntosh. I was particularly impressed with our new athletes, Marissa,Sahad, Kiannah, Quinn and Erin, who raced despite having only participated in a few training sessions. These young athletes looked remarkably composed both before and during the race, and warmed up and ran like seasoned veterans. All of the JD athletes ran very well, and I am very pleased with the results. What a great start to the year!
All of the JD athletes ran together in the only junior high race offered, which was a combined race of male and female junior high students. There were 33 athletes in the race, and ten of them were CALTAF JD athletes. Here are the highlights of the race:
The combined point total of CALTAF’s top four finishers – Erin (2nd), Sean(10th), Kendall (13th) and Quinn (14th) – was 39 points, which placed CALTAF 3rd of the five clubs/one school that participated in the race. Well done Erin,Sean, Kendall and Quinn! This bodes well for the Cross-Country Provincial Championships at the end of October, where medals will be awarded for the team results.
In her very first cross-country race, new athlete Erin finished 2nd of the 33 athletes, 1st of the 19 girls. Erin went out to the front early in the race and never looked back, running a very strong race from start to finish. Erin’s result is even more remarkable when you take into account that, as a 1998 athlete, she was one of the youngest competitors in the race. Well done Erin! An impressive start!
Sean ran one of his most impressive races yet, finishing 10th overall, 5th of the 14 boys. Like Erin, Sean was one of the younger athletes in the race. Not one to be intimidated, Sean ran an excellent race, getting stronger and more confident towards the end of the course. Well done Sean! One of your best efforts!
Despite a sore knee and having very few training sessions under her belt, new athlete Quinn ran an excellent race, finishing 14th overall, 7th of the girls. Well done Quinn! A great start to the season!
Marissa, another of JD’s new 1998 athletes, ran an excellent race, finishing ahead of many of the older athletes and placing 19th overall, 8th of the women. Well done Marissa! An impressive first race!
Veterans Kendall and Emily, who I am certain would describe themselves as sprinters and certainly not distance runners, were brave enough to tackle the 2km course, the only two senior veterans willing to do so. Both ran well, withKendall finishing 13th overall, 6th of the women, and Emily finishing 21st overall, 11th of the women. Well done sprinters!
Another of our newest athletes, Sahad, ran a very good race, finishing 25thoverall, 12th of the boys. Like all of the new JD athletes, Sahad looked very confident out on the course, and completed his warm-up thoroughly, without supervision. Well done Sahad! Welcome to CALTAF!
Emma, another of our young 1998 athletes, ran a very good race, appearing not in the least intimidated by the older athletes. Emma finished 20th of the 33 athletes, 9th of the 19 women. Well done Emma! We definitely need to have you run more 800s!
JD’s youngest athletes Rhea and Kiannah finished very strongly, battling it out at the end of the race to see who could finish ahead. It was a close contest, withRhea finishing just ahead. A very impressive finish, ladies!
Congratulations athletes! Well done! An impressive start to the year!
I will see you all tomorrow at 5:00pm at North Capital Hill/Canmore Park. Robin
