V
PUMP
The Samford Progress Association’s free community newspaper printed continuously since 1977.
The ILLAGE
@TheVillagePumpSamford
“Your Community Newspaper, owned by the Samford Community and produced for the benefit of the Samford Community.” 07 JULY, 2023
P: 0477 663 696
E: editor@villagepump.org.au NEXT DEADLINE THURSDAY 13/07/2023
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS Running isn’t just a lunchtime activity for Samford State School students Flynn Banner and Lucy Frawley, both of whom placed at the North West District Cross Country event af ter winning their age races at school. At District level, Flynn won his event while Lucy walked a w ay w i t h second place. “I felt very proud because I’ve always placed well but haven’t come first before. I was also very happy with (the Regionals) result because the competition was very tough,” Flynn said. Lucy was similarly thrilled with her efforts. “I am honestly just really amazed and happy because I didn’t know I was able to even achieve what I did. I am extremely grateful because I was never aiming for a top ten place let alone second place and getting the chance to go to Regionals for the first time,” she said.
Both students subsequently ran their hardest at Regionals with Flynn placing 11th and Lucy crossing the line 21st in this high-level competition. To reach this level of endurance, both Flynn and Lucy dedicated many hours to training. Lucy ran twice a week in the lead up to cross country, splitting her time between intervals and distance, as well as participating in Saturday Parkruns. Flynn can often be seen on local streets, training five days a week with the Be Energetic Tri and Run Club. He also entered extra running competitions during cross country and track season. “The tri group is mainly high school kids and most are national athletes. This pushes me to train hard and become a better athlete myself,” Flynn said. Running isn’t the only sport Flynn and Lucy focus on, with both students involved in an array of other activities. Lucy can be found at the netball courts and swimming pool as well as running around her street. “I love being active and I enjoy the feeling of getting better at everything I do. Doing sport makes me feel really happy because I love challenging myself physically and there is nothing I’d rather be doing in my afternoon,” she said. Flynn’s main sport is triathlon which he trains for throughout the year, but he also competes in swimming and track and field.
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“I have made it to States for Aquathon (swim, run) twice and am the state Duathlon Champion (cycle, r un). I love getting outside and have made lots of friends because of my sport,” he said. While both Flynn and Lucy have a phenomenal drive to be the fastest runners they can be, there are other reasons they love lacing up their running shoes. “I enjoy long runs in the Samford forest or when we’re on holidays. I love the feeling of knowing I’ve done a good job and tried something hard. I also like competing and having days out with all my friends,” Flynn said. For Lucy, running gives her space in life to enjoy, “the feeling of freedom and the time to think.” Congratulations Flynn and Lucy and we can’t wait to see how far running takes you both. Tanya Hall