Nowra Athletics Club fielded 9 teams at the NSW Cross Country Relays held at Rydalmere on Saturday 3rd June.
In the U14’s Hugh Thirwall set a steady pace for the Nowra team, completing the 2km lap in 7.24. Archie Higgins was 2nd runner, finishing in 7.40, followed by 9 year old Kai Thirwall who held his own against much older athletes, with 8.10. Macca Davis completed the team’s efforts with 8.01, putting Nowra in 12th place with a combined time of 31.17.
Nowra had 2 teams in the U14 female category. Team A was led out by Lana Crawford in 7.47. Airlie Stevens ran around in 8.13, followed by Evie Binney in 8.18. The team was rounded out by Mikaela Monkerud in 8.26 to take them to 11th place with a combined time of 32.45. Meanwhile Team B was kickstarted by Evie Smart with 8.11 followed by Maddie Oke in 8.20. Next around the track was trooper Mali Mustapic, who agreed (albeit somewhat reluctantly) to fill in after a late withdrawal of an injured athlete. Mali completed her relay leg in 10.53 whilst Lizzy Davis soldiered on after taking a wrong turn on the course and finished in 10.30. The B team finished in 16th place in 37.56.
In the U16’s Emily McLaren completed the 3kms in 13.01. Mia Monkerud quickly ran her lap in 12.31 followed by Lily Sproule in 13.05 and Olivia Oke finished in 14.42. The team placed 6th in 53.20.
Harrison Baxter got the U18’s A team out with 10.01. 14-year-old Cameron Baxter stepped up to the senior age group, to replace Hamish McLaren, who was unwell, and did so with confidence and speed. Cameron clocked 10.54 for the 3kms followed by Oliver Baxter who also ran strongly to finish in 10.09. Nic McGill brought the team home in 9.59 to secure 5th place for the team in 41.04.
Team B was predominantly made up of sprinters, building their off-season fitness. The team was led out by last-minute sign-up Anna Duncan who willingly stepped in to fill the team. Anna ran strongly to finish the 3km lap in 12.10. Next up was sprinter Tom Brookes who bounded through in 12.41. Jonah Watson, another sprinter, was valiant after being ill last week, and completed his lap in 15.05. Alisha Mustapic rounded out the final leg with 14.16, giving the team a total time of 54.14.
The U20’s team was led away by a very strong Nic McGill, who doubled up with a leg in each of the U18’s and U20’s relay. Nic clocked 9.51 before handing the baton on to Will Dyball, who powered through in 9.57. Darcy Davis, as 3rd runner completed the 3kms in 11.04 and then Harrison Baxter, also doubling up, ran his 2nd leg of the day, in another solid time of 10.14. The boys placed 7th overall in 41.08.
Nowra fielded 2 masters relay teams this year. Team A was contested by a strong team, where the 4 runners were mere seconds apart in times. The 40+ event was started by Marcus Baxter who ran around easily in 17.19. Gavin Dyball, always a work-horse, went through in 17.57 and Peter Dooley, another strong competitor, finished in 17.52. Ming Leung moved around the course swiftly, securing a time of 17.27. The men earned themselves 5th place with a combined time of 1.10.36.
The men’s B team was started by Erin Smart, who, despite her pre-race nerves, managed an impressive time of 18.42. Glen Mustapic was 2nd runner, completing the 4kms in 19.33. Mark O’Leary motored around in 20.02 whilst Matt Watson, always one of the biggest Club supporters, stout-heartedly completed the 2 laps in 23.06 to bring the team home in 10th place, and end a great day of cross-country running.
What a great effort from Nowra athletes!