2022 National Cross Country Championships - Wrap Up
Published Tue 13 Sep 2022
Athletics Tasmania had 36 Primary School and 27 Secondary School athletes compete at the 2022 School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships held in Adelaide, SA, on August 26 – 29. This was a 4-day event including an opening ceremony, education excursion, team relay and closing ceremony.
Athletics Tasmania also had 30 athletes compete at the 2022 Athletics Australia Cross Country Championships held on August 27. This was a 1-day event involving just the individual cross country race in the age group qualified.
Along with Sam Clifford, the only open Tasmanian athlete to compete at the Nationals Cross Country Championships, Tasmania had 94 compete in the individual event on Saturday at Oakbank Racecourse, South Australia.
Conditions were challenging with a remarkably muddy course. However, that didn’t stop the Tasmanian’s achieving excellent results. Congratulations to all those that represented Tasmania and competed on the day at the National Championships. You all did an incredible job and did Tasmania proudly.
Of particular mention, we had 2 place getters from Tasmania:
- Violet Owen came second in a time of 11:10 in the 3km 13 yr women’s race to win a silver medal.
- Samuel Clifford, who came 11th in the open men’s 10,000m event but third in a time of 33:36 in the U23 category to win a bronze medal
Congratulations to these two outstanding athletes on their incredible achievements.
For those in the SSA event, the racing continued on Monday at West Beach Playing Field for the team relays and individual time trials.
With driving rain and wind, conditions were sometimes challenging for some of the athletes. However, it was so good to see the Tasmanian Teams race in the relays and time trials and give their best effort with more impressive performances on the day.
The best result comes from our only para-athlete, Emily Aichberger, who won Tasmania's third medal for the Championships in the T20 1500m time trial with a time of 4:23.37, winning the gold medal. Congratulations, Emily.
The SSA Cross Country Tasmanian Team was led by team captains; Primary: Madeline Marshall and Arden Petersen
Secondary: Chloe White and Ben Findlay
Thanks to the captains for representing Tasmania and being excellent role models for the team.
Thanks to all the athletes for participating, giving their best, and showing respect to teammates, competitors, and team management. It was so good to see your positivity, courage, and determination. Also, it was great to see friendships develop and fun being had, as that is what it is all about.
Thanks to all the parents/family members/supporters, etc., for getting your athletes to the event and supporting them to perform at their best. I'd also like to thank those who helped in so many ways....it was much appreciated.
And finally, a huge thanks to the other two team managers, Blake Steel and Jarrod Gibson, for their assistance in making this trip to the 2022 National Cross Country Championships such and remarkable success and a memorable experience for the Tasmanian Team.
RING ON THE 2023 NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS AT STROMLO NATIONAL PARK IN CANBERRA......hope to see you there!!!!
Tasmanian State Team Manager, Yvette Edward
