By LIAM TWOMEY
NINE athletes from Western Athletics have been selected to represent Victoria at the Cross Country National Championships. The selection news came after a host of outstanding performances at the State Cross Country Championships last month.
The Western Athletics’ runners will join their Victorian teammates to compete at the event in Launceston in late August.
Preparing to compete in her second National Cross Country Championships, Western Athletics’ squad member Claire Hodgart said it was a great feeling to make this year’s team.
“I wasn’t expecting to make it this year, so I am very excited,” she said.
“It is good because some of the athletes who haven’t made it before at our club have also been selected for their first National Championships, so everyone is pretty excited.
“There are a lot of top athletes from all around the country who will be competing. It is really a whole new experience.”
The latest results continue what has been an outstanding cross country season for Western Athletics, with a number of the club’s teams in contention for competition titles.
The club’s under 14 boys and under 16 boys are both leading their divisions while the under 18 age group are in second position.
Western Athletics’ publicity officer Janice Hodgart put the success of the club down to the family friendly culture.
“It has been very good start to the season. We have got a good crew of runners at the club,” she said.
“When you look at the numbers and how well we went, it is a great result. It is a very social club. Obviously, it is competitive, but that social aspect is great as well.
“If you had to train for cross country and you were the only one there, it would be very hard. You need your teammates. Whether they make Vic teams or not, it is good to have people there to push you along. Even though it is individual events, the teamwork at the club is really good.”
