Athletes return from cross country championships

Two Woy Woy Peninsula Little Athletics Club athletes have returned from the Australian Cross Country Championships.

The club's Sienna Scahill and Morgan Charlton competed in the Under-12's Primary School and Under-14's High School Competitions respectively.

Sienna had a highly successful run through her competition, taking the gold medal for the Girls Under-12's with Morgan just missing out on a podium finish with fourth place in the Under-14's but picking up a silver in the NSW Teams event.

Their coach Mr Kevin Wills said the club was proud of both girls.

"There was some excellent racing by both girls.

Both Sienna and Morgan were 12-years-old but Morgan was already attending high school and was obliged to compete in the high school competition.

Mr Wills said both girls competently assessed their competition and employed some advanced techniques during their runs.

"Sienna and Morgan both took advantage of the courses multiple hills to edge ahead of the pack.

"Sienna in particular, was able to keep her legs fresh by only kicking into gear on the downhills and I think that's what helped get her over the line.

"The other competitors kept trying to pass her on the uphill and she would just fly past them on the downhill, preserving energy for the final sprint to the finish line," Mr Wills said.

Mr Wills said both girls also used the technique of shadowing, where they maintained close proximity to a competitor to use them as a sort of wind shield, to great effect.

SOURCE:

Interview (Dilon Luke), 27 Aug 2019

Kevin Wills, Woy Woy Peninsula Little Athletics Club