Our Year in Sport 2023 - Wangaratta High School

PART OF SOMETHING Welcome to the 1st ever edition of Our Year In Sport. This will become an annual publication where we celebrate the year’s School Sport achievements and moments.

For those part of our Sport teams in 2023, we hope you keep this as a memento, to look back on in the future.

For those that weren’t, I hope this inspires you to get involved in 2024.

School Sport is uniquely important. It remains the only place where you can compete alongside peers, in a team, school logo on the chest. It demands bravery, physicality, commitment and talent, and pays back multiple-fold in camaraderie, connectedness to school, and most of all, fun. It bonds us together in a way only Sport can. and sometimes for a lifetime.

Researching our School Football history has led me to our Archive Room where is held school history from as far back as 1909 (the school’s first year). I’ve found so much history that’s been hidden and forgotten.

Sending some of it around to past players has reminded me that Wangaratta High School and our School Sport means something to people. Forgotten team photos and articles have been posted in group messages, memories flooding back. I’ve had mothers finding photos in their cupboards, and visited grandmothers showing me their scrapbooks. I’ve spoken with pastplayers now in their 80s, had a player drop off video footage of their 1985 State Final game on USB, and had hour-long phone conversations with past team coaches who still recall players and moments., and who have then visited the school to help piece our history together.

Myself and my teammates still vividly remember our coach Gary Michael during a pre-match speech in the changerooms before a State Football Grand Final in Year 8, crying when telling us he loved us, and the moment we ran out on to Skinner Reserve roaring and almost crying ourselves. The team photo (next page) was stuck on all of our bedroom walls for years, and decades later, when everything else has been thrown out apart from mementos that fit in a single shoe box, that photo remains. None of us ever threw it out.

One player from that team informed me he has a W.H.S footy jumper from the 1960s. His father kept it and passed it down to him. The grandson will start with us in Year 7 in 2025, and the jumper will end up his.

I’ve got a jumper too, worn in our State Premiership winning game in Year 12 at V.F.L Park in Waverley. It’s hanging in my 4-year old son’s bedroom.

Even our greatest sportsperson ever, Stevie Johnson, who went onto become an AFL legend, still remembers specific games, moments and goals from his school games. He has footage of his goals in a Year 7 State Grand Final (one of his 3 School Footy State Titles) at Windy Hill . His mum is searching for it for me.

On the following page are more of hundreds of photos of W.H.S sporting teams I’ve unearthed. To inspire our students again, I’ll soon be making a wall of Football State Champions, displaying the 12 State Title teams (and 2 Runner Ups) we have framed. In them (also featured on the following page) can be seen teachers Mason Scholes and Hayley Currie, and Vice Principal John Paola. Kylie Wealands is also featured in a State Title winning Squash team. School Sport helped give us School Pride that brought us, and many others, all back to teach here.

One footy photo is from 1917. That’s over 100 years of W.H.S football teams. Everyone that represents Wangaratta High School, in any Sport, shares something with the boys in that picture. They’re all long gone now, and the jumper designs change, but the team name remains, and that photo lives on forever.

And when you look back on yours, I hope they remind you that you were part of something too.

Jud Mullins - 19.Dec.2023

PART OF SOMETHING

HOUSE AGGREGATE Points for this year’s Athletics Aggregate, and Age Group Champions, stemmed from results in the following events: Field Events during P.E classes.

100m Sprint Carnival Upper Hume Athletics Carnival Hume Region Athletics Carnival State Track & Field Championships

The Breakdowns of age groups and Track v Field are interesting.

MERRIWA’s Year 7s were the key to their win, picking up 216 points, the most in the school with the OVENS Year 10s just behind (209 points).

KING were strong in the Field Events, but had poor participation on the Track.

Congratulations to MERRIWA House who won clearly from OVENS, and completed an Historic Double (both Swimming & Athletics)

Next year we bring back a Whole School Athletics Carnival for 1st time in many years.

We hope to see everyone compete.

AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS

12-13 YEARS

Leo Woodburne

Inanay Gilson

15 YEARS

Jack Ford

14 YEARS

James Isabelle Chisholm Christison

16 YEARS

Milly O’Kane

Tom Ford

17 BOYS

18-20 BOYS

Ned O’Kane

Thomas Ryan

Claire Christison

Hazel June Woodward (Sisley) Memorial

YEAR LEVEL SPORT AWARDS These are awarded to those who have participated in the most Sports to the highest level.

YEAR 7

Jeremy Bagley

YEAR 8

Kaity Ford

James Chisholm

YEAR 10

YEAR 9

Jack Ford

Milly O’Kane

Stevie Driscoll

Tom Ford

YEAR 11/12

Lachlan Sienna Barbour Box-Corsini

Claire Christison

AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS

12-13: Ruby O’Kane & Andrew Fraser

14 Years: Billy Hiskins & Lillian Hooper

15 Years: Stevie Driscoll & Merlin Tzaros Alec Armstrong, Tara Genn & Tom Ford

17: Kalika Miliankos-King & Ned OKane

18-20: Sarah Henderson & Tom Miskin

SWIM CARNIVAL

SWIM CARNIVAL

SWIM CARNIVAL

UPPER HUME SWIMMING WODONGA WAVES

After qualifying at the school Swim Carnival, 41 swimmers a week later competed at the Wodonga Waves Complex at the Upper Hume Swim Carnival on Tuesday 28th February.

Those were the 14 Years Girls (Lucy Armstrong, Isabelle Christison, Lilian Hooper and Jada Ryan) and the 17 Years Boys (Lachlan Barbour, Tom Miskin, Ned O’Kane and Tristan Scott .

While nobody came Top 2 in individual events in order to go through to the Hume Region stage, two relay teams did, both coming in 2nd place.

UPPER HUME SWIMMERS. 2023

UPPER HUME SWIMMING WODONGA WAVES

14 Years Girls 4x 50m Relay Jada Ryan Isabelle Christison Lillian Hooper Lucy Armstrong

17 Years Boys 4x 50m Relay Tom Miskin Ned O’Kane Lachlan Barbour Tristan Scott.

3rd Place Getters Jack Ford Oscar Benson Milly O’Kane Merlin Tzaros

GIRLS CRICKET SUPER 8

On Monday 6th March our Super 8 Girls Cricket teams played at the Barr Reserve.

Both the Year 7 and Years 9/10 teams placed 2nd and the Year 8 team placed 4th overall.

Congratulations to all of our teams for making the day full of fun, great cricket and fantastic displays of sportsmanship. Well done students and to coaches Mrs Belci and Alannah Baguley for making the day a success.

Year 7 Girls Super 8 Cricket. 2023 FROM LEFT: Inanay Gilson, Kayla Jose, Alexis Cox, Erin Collins, Kaity Ford, Ruby O’Kane, Charlotte Walker, Liv Day.

Year 8 Girls Super 8 Cricket. 2023 BACK: Milly O’Kane, Ellie Meggs, Jada Ryan, Zoi Miliankos-King, Lily Byrne, Angela Keenan.

FRONT: Jedda Driscoll, Isabelle Christison

SENIOR BOYS CRICKET Our Senior Boys Cricket team, co-captained by Year 12s Brodie Fisher and Harvey Moore, played at South Wangaratta in the Upper Hume Twenty-Twenty competition against a very strong Wodonga Senior Secondary College side on Monday 20th February.

Our boys were bowled out in 15 overs for 31. Top scorer was opener Harvey Moore with 16., followed by Brandon Harrison (5) and Lachlan Barbour (4).

Senior Boys Cricket Team. 2023 BACK: Lachlan Barbour, Luke Couch, Brandon Harrison, Connor O’Brien, Will Carmody, Tom Christison, Brodie Fisher, Todd Rufford-Sharpe.

FRONT: Clove Boonzayer, Xavier Zachariou, Harvey Moore, Ollie Chambers.

Senior Boys Table Tennis Team. 2023 Darcy Stone, Lachlan Barbour, Todd Rufford-Sharpe & Orlando Bulmer.

EQUESTRIAN

SCOTS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Scots Interschool Equestrian Championships were held in May at the Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre.

Congratulations to Lacy Solimo (Year 7, pictured here) and Tara Genn (Year 10) who represented our school in Dressage, Show Jumping, Games, Showing and Handymount classes.

The weather was cold and wet but that didn't stop the girls from competing and having fun as well as bringing home some well deserved prizes.

7/8 BOYS FOOTBALL UPPER HUME

Junior Boys Football Team - 2023 BACK: Gus Hedderman, Lionel Huggins, Lachlan Downing, Noah Williams, Sam Morey, Cooper Lack, James Chisholm, Kayden Vozlic, Zeke Hogan.

MIDDLE: Isaac Robinson (Year 7 Captain), Kieran White, Jim Sheppard, Charlie Walsh, Max Marek (Captain), Will Sayers, Oskar McGahan, Hugh Spring, Cooper Grimshaw, Clarence Lampa..

FRONT: Liam Bigham-Wallis (Vice Captain), Andrew Fraser, Charlie Suffield, Dylan McCombe.

7/8 BOYS FOOTBALL

22 of our junior boys took their opportunity to wear the hallowed WHS school footy jumper on Tuesday 23rd May at the Barr Reserve, suiting up in the Upper Hume Year 8 Footy Carnival.

Fielding a combined team with half of the line-up Year 7s, it was always going to be tough to compete, but the boys were able to play some decent football across their two group games, despite coming away without a win.

Max Marek, our Year 8 Captain, was our major playmaker across the two matches. Playing as midfielder -- a different role to last year as a small forward when his keen goal sense saw him come away our leading goalkicker for the carnival – Max covered the whole ground gathering possessions, using his skill, strength, clean hands and ability to read the play and win the ball whenever it came near him.

James Chisholm was our next best player. For someone who doesn’t play football on the weekend, his ability to step into the school side as our ruckman so seamlessly and have such an impact was remarkable. With height, strength and athleticism, and a freakish ability to get in the right position and gather it cleanly, James has natural talent to burn and could be one hell of a footballer if he was to play weekend competition.

Kayden Vozlic, another of our tall Year 8 boys stationed in the centre square, was prolific in both games, finding the ball with ease and showing an ability to handle the ball when open or under pressure. An excellent and consistent display.

Will Sayers was another Year 7 who despite being one of the smallest boys on the ground, and having just come back from a broken collarbone, showed natural flair for the game, picking up plenty of the ball and winning it bravely. Another of our lads to not play footy on the weekend, but who could be a gun if he did.

Dylan McCombe was one of the great stories of the day. Another who doesn’t play weekend footy but was super keen to make the team, he forced his way in with sheer enthusiasm, did everything required, and when he got his chance, made it count. He was not only our best tackler with his courage and tenacity, but also found the ball more than most and showed skill in collecting and distributing it. Like Will and James, he could become a good footballer if he was to play week to week.

Coaches Alex Johnson and I thank the boys for respresenting the school on the day, some doing some for the first ever time, and doing so in an exemplary fashion. We certainly look forward to fielding full teams in both the Year 8 and Year 7 carnivals in 2024.

BEST PLAYERS: Max Marek, James Chisholm, Kayden Vozlic, Zeke Hogan, Will Sayers, Dylan McCombe.

GOAL KICKERS: Sam Morey

By Jud Mullins

BELOW: John Paola speaks during the Trial Match Our standout Year 7 was Zeke Hogan at half back.

Playing against boys a year older and often a lot bigger, Zeke was as cool as a cucumber, continually reading the play to outpoint his opponents. He took one-grab marks in the air, had clean hands on the ground, and hit targets with efficient skills. One of those players that makes it looks easy and everything seem in slow motion, he was the classiest player in our side and is one for the footy enthusiasts.

INTER BOYS FOOTBALL UPPER HUME

Intermediate Boys Football Team. 2023

BACK: Cooper Young, Eli Beach, Gus Jayet, Jack Preston, Hayden Currie, Jack Ford, Luke Griffiths, Noah Scholte (Captain).

MIDDLE: Levi Zachariou, Jack Lockhart, Billy Hiskins, Ryley Downing, Daniel Hammond, Lachlan Suffield, Kade Hadley, Jonah Massey-Chase, Kallam Pensak.

FRONT: Oscar Benson, Lachlan Pensak, Harvey Cook, Dylan Savage.

INTER BOYS FOOTBALL 22 of our Year 9 and 10 boys got the honour of pulling on the historic Wangaratta High School Footy jumper on Tuesday May 2nd, in the Upper Hume Intermediate Boys AFL Carnival at the Barr Reserve.

The boys handled the slippery 9:30am starting time conditions cleanly to lead crosstown rivals Cathedral College by a goal at half time in the opening match having kept them goalless. However the 2nd half was a different story, as Cathedral’s guns seemed to regularly get their hands on the ball enabling them to pile on 6 goals to none for a 6.1.37 to 1.1.7 victory.

B.OG was Year 9 Blake Newton, who would just months later be selected Under 15 All-Australian.

Tragedy struck in the last ruck contest of the match, as our co-Captain and inspirational ruckman Tom Ford fell heavily on his wrist which a trip to the Emergency Room confirmed as broken. Added to the overnight loss of classy Centre Half Back and likely Co-Captain Ned O’Kane to illness, we were suddenly without the first two magnets you put on the whiteboard when you build your team.

Wodonga’s Victory Lutheran College proved an easier 2nd opponent, and despite having to shuffle key positions, the boys dominated that match with clean skills and ball movement and a spread of five separate goal kickers, taking out a 30 point win, 5.2.32 to 0.2.2.

It was an even bigger win in the 3rd and final match of the day, in a physical contest with Wodonga Middle Years College. It was both a strong defensive effort, keeping them completely scoreless, and a slick display of accurate goalkicking, culminating in a score line of 7.1.43 to 0.0.0 and leaving us Runner-Up in the standings for Pool A to Cathedral the eventual premier.

Jonah Massey-Chase was probably our most important player across the day, at three different key positions (Centre Half Back, Centre Half Forward and Full Forward). Big, strong, courageous, smart and skilful, he was able to read the ball in flight better than his opponents, displayed sticky fingers to take marks virtually every time the ball came to him, caught the eye with dash and penetrating kicking, and even kicked a long goal when up forward. The kind of footballer you build a team around.

Co-Captain Noah Scholte was smooth, classy and brilliant all day on the ball. He continually gathered the ball with clean hands at stoppages, evaded opponents even when in the tightest of corners, hit targets even when under pressure, and inspired teammates with pressure acts like a Captain should.

One of the neatest and most skilful footballers the High School has seen, he was our Rolls Royce.

Gus Jayet, captain of our Year 8 side last year, was the standout Year 9 this year. Strong bodied, athletic and brave, he matched it physically with his older opponents and did it with a coolness beyond his years, winning the ball whenever it came near him, whether on the ground or in the air, and at multiple positions from half back to half forward and in the engine room. Another strong player of the future with standout leadership qualities.

Kallum Pensak had the ball on a string especially in the latter two matches, and at one stage pulled off the play of the day when taking a one handed mark running back to goal with the flight of the ball, then slotting the goal from long range off just a few steps.

A smooth mover with silky ball handling who makes things look easy, he oozes class and is another footballer for Football Enthusiasts.

Jack Ford was the other standout Year 9 alongside Gus. Displaying athleticism and skill at half forward and then up on a wing and on the ball, he got better as the day wore on and became a key playmaker and finisher, ending up our leading goalkicker for the carnival with 3.

Hayden Currie was terrific beginning on a Back Flank, then cameoing in the midfield and up forward. His calm leadership especially in the absence of Ned in the backline was noticeable and he was able to win contests and hit targets reliably all day.

Dylan Savage was our best big forward, playing most of the day at Full Forward. His size and strength provided a focal point in the goal square, but it was his canny knack for a well-timed lead that enabled to him to take multiple marks which he clunked cleanly every time a teammate hit him up. The natural leader finished with 2 important goals.

INTER BOYS FOOTBALL Lachlan Suffield was another who was prevalent and pivotal on his wing which he patrolled all day. His run, length and strong hands made him an often-used link in the chain for our forward forays, and he hit the scoreboard as well. One of our many Year 10 footballers with strong leadership qualities, he proved a worthy co-Vice Captain.

Overall the boys represented the school in a sterling manner, and co-coach John Paola and I thank them for their efforts and for the way they conducted themselves across the event.

BEST PLAYERS: Jonah Massey-Chase, Noah Scholte, Gus Jayet, Kallam Pensak, Jack Ford, Hayden Currie, Dylan Savage, Lachlan Suffield GOAL KICKERS: Jack Ford 3, Ryley Downing 2, Dylan Savage 2, Oscar Benson, Gus Jayet, Jonah Massey-Chase, Kallam Pensak, Jack Preston, Lachlan Suffield.

By Jud Mullins

ABOVE: Coach John Paola rallies the troops

BADMINTON UPPER HUME

Another full busload of our keen athletes competed in Interschool Sport on Friday June 9th, as 35 players, joined by 3 “coaches”, headed to the Wodonga Leisure Centre for the Upper Hume Badminton Carnival.

It took a full week of lunchtime tryouts where Round Robin singles tournaments were used to decide the cream of the crop, including an epic two days where 15 Year 9 and 10 boys turned up vying to make the team of 5, to finalise the spots and rankings.

In the end we fielded 8 teams, 4 girls and 4 boys, in all age groups, competing against schools from Wangaratta, Wodonga and Myrtleford, with hundreds of kids competing across 17 courts inside the venue.

Having won last year as Year 7s and eventually making it to State, our Year 8 girls (Milly O’Kane, Isabelle Christison, Lillian Hooper, Casey Sheppard and Alanna Hepburn) were our Hot Ticket, and they did the school proud again, disposing of Catholic College Wodonga in the Final in a dominant 6-0 fashion (meaning they won all 4 singles, and both Doubles matches). They only dropped 2 matches of the 18 they played. A well-deserved result from a crop of some of the most talented and overall impressive kids I’ve seen come through our school.

Special mention to usual team member Angela Keenan, who volunteered on the day to play in the Year 8 Boys team when one of the boys couldn’t make it. Despite obviously preferring to play with her mates, Angela did this with no complaints, and her unselfish act was an outstanding reflection of her character and a window into the top quality young people we have representing us regularly in school sport. Thanks Angela.

On the neighbouring court, our Year 7 Girls (Liv Day, Ruby DeFazio, Kaity Ford, Inanay Gilson and Ruby O’Kane) won 3 of their 4 contests, defeating Cathedral College 5-1, Grace Christian College Wodonga 3-3 (53-49), and Wodonga Middle Years 5-1, however succumbed to Victory Lutheran College Wodonga 1-5 to finish an admirable 2nd place. These girls are to be acknowledge for their commitment, training for multiple days at lunchtimes prior to practice a news sport most of them hadn’t played before. They are another crop of outstanding sports girls and most importantly, top quality individuals, which I’m sure will form the fulcrum of many of our sports teams over the next 6 years.

Both of our Intermediate teams were good enough for 3rd. The Girls (Pieper Gottschling, Ellie Meggs, Georgia Meggs and Matilda Taylor) won against Wodonga Middle Years 3-3 (49-44), however got stitched up by a strong Grace Christian College 1-5.

The Boys (Tom Ford, Lachlan Suffield, Ned O’Kane and Oscar Benson) won 2 of their 3, demolishing Wodonga Middle Years 5-1, and Victory Lutheran College Wodonga 4-2, before falling to a gun Grace Christian team 0-6.

Thanks to all players for your representation of the school in a sport that most of you don’t play at competition level. Thanks too to Alannah Baguley for coming and coahing the girls. It was another great day out and another reminder of the power of Interschool Sport.

By Jud Mullins

BADMINTON UPPER HUME

Year 7 Boys Badminton. 2023 Lachlan Downing Mike Sheppard IsaacRobinson Gus Hedderman.

Year 7 Girls Badminton. 2023 Ruby DeFazio Inanay Gilson Liv Day Kaity Ford Ruby O’Kane

Year 8 Boys Badminton. 203 Archer Wilson Charlie Suffield Bode Crawford Angela Keenan

BADMINTON UPPER HUME

Year 8 Girls Badminton. 2023

UPPER HUME CHAMPIONS Milly O’Kane Casey Sheppard Lillian Hooper Isabelle Christison Alana Hepburn

Inter Boys Badminton. 2023 Ned O’Kane Lachlan Suffield Tom Ford Oscar Benson

Inter Girls Badminton. 2023 Matilda Taylor Ellie Meggs Piper Gottschling Georgia Meggs

BADMINTON UPPER HUME

Senior Boys Badminton. 2023 Connor Brown Darcy Stone Jack Lockhart Jye Laxton

Senior Girls Badminton. 2023 Bethany Tanner Amarina Huggins Naomi Roberts Hannah Dods

LEFT: Year 7 boys Gus Hedderman & Isaac Robinson

CROSS COUNTRY UPPER HUME

Our school achieved our highest overall standing in many years, coming in 3rd of 9 schools competing at the Upper Hume Cross Country event on Monday 30th May at the Savoy Soccer Club in Myrtleford.

42 of our fittest and brightest boys and girls from Years 7 through 11 braved the cold to race either the 3000m course (all girls, and junior boys) or the 5000m (senior boys).

11 of our students achieved an admirable Top 10 finish. These 11, plus the other 6 runners who placed 15th or better, have qualified for the next stage - Hume Region event held in Benalla on Friday 16th June. For Year 7 Liv Day, a wonderful achievement achieving our equal highest place (4th) in her first run for the school.

Special mention to Year 9 Merlin Tzaros, who fell ill days prior the race and couldn’t compete. Merlin broke the Upper Hume Cross Country record in Year 7 in the 13 Boys Age Group, and at the 2022 State Championships finishin 2nd, making him the 2nd fastest 3000m runner in Victoria for his age. The school can’t wait to have Merlin represent us again in Benalla.

Thank you to all 42 runners for competing. In an age where a number of adolescents are choosing other pursuits over being physically active, it is certainly terrific to see so many of ours being willing to test their endurance against the best in the region.

Our Sport & Physical Education Dept strongly encourages everyone to be mindful that maintaining their Aerobic Fitness/ Cardiovascular Health is likely the most important thing our young people can do to set themselves up for lifelong health.

Top 10 Finishers - Upper Hume XC ‘23

CROSS COUNTRY HUME REGION

We extend a huge congratulations to 5 of our students who have made the State Cross Country, after finishing Top 12 at the Hume Region Cross Country in Benalla on Friday June 16th. Having qualified via a Top 15 position at the Upper Hume race in Myrtleford, 10 of our runners raced, this time against runners from schools as far as Seymour, Alexandra, Mansfield, Tallangatta, Rushworth, Broadford, Yea, Mount Beauty, Cobram, Shepparton, Yarrawonga, Benalla, Wodonga and more.

Year 9 Merlin Tzaros won the Silver Medal by coming 2nd, running a time of 9:42 in the 3km race, despite coming off illness the week prior. For Merlin, another top medal to add to his growing trophy cabinet. Can he this year better his 2nd place at State last year? The school community is proud of you Merlin and we admire you and your significant achievements.

Best mates Clare Collins and Claire Christison of Year 10 were our next best performers, finishing 5th and 6th respectively, crossing the line virtually together with times of 12:46 in their 3km, Clare .123 of a second ahead.

An amazing coincidence for two best friends!

Year 11 Clove Boonzayer finished 8th, running an 18:12 time for 5km, and Year 7 girl Liv Day got 12th in her 3km race with a time of 13:07.

Very special mention to Clare Collins and Tom Ford, who both decided at the last minute to attend, coming off three days and 2 nights at the Kimberly Cultural Camp at Barmah National Park 90 minutes away, and going straight from the camp to the race. Unreal commitment from two of the brightest stars and best kids we have at the school, and thanks to Pete Christison for driving them from the camp to get them there.

Thank you to all 10 runners for again having the courage to test your endurance against your peers at such a high level of competition. We are proud of you all, and we wish the 5 the best of luck at State on Thursday July 13th.

Special thank you also to the parents who transported their children to and from the event. We appreciate and acknowledge that we have so many outstanding families and children involved in our School Sport, continuing a long tradition.

ABOVE: Merlin Tzaros .

BELOW: Merlin flanked by the Boonzayer brothers, Clove & Eucalyptus

7-8 GIRLS FOOTBALL UPPER HUME

18 of our Junior Girls braved the cold on Tuesday 20th June, playing in the Upper Hume Year 7/8 Girls Australian Rules Football carnival at the Barr Reserve.

After a great training session days prior inside the Sport Stadium, the weather forecast turned ominous, an urgent early morning Compass alert went out to all players suggesting they bring snow jackets, blankets and beanies, plus jumpers and even leggings to wear under their footy gear, and sure enough by the time the ball was thrown up to start their first match at 10:00am, it was officially freezing at Zero degrees.

The girls battled hard across their 4 matches, with the highlight of their campaign a dominant 3 goal victory against Wodonga Middle Years College (3.1.19 def 0.1.1). Despite bowing down in their other 3 matches against Cathedral College, Galen College & Catholic College Wodonga, all of whom appeared to have more girls that play footy in competition, and finishing with a 1-3 record to take out 4th place, it was a terrific display of school sprot by a wonderful bunch of girls.

Milly O’Kane was our most dominant. Our co-captain and one of the most naturally talented athletes and sportsgirls we have seen come through the school in a long time, she lined up in the Ruck with the license to follow the ball everywhere, and it was no surprise she took to the sport with ease. Tall, fit, strong, skilful and competitive, she won the ball whenever it was in her area, both initiating forward forays and getting forward to finish them off, kicking 4 goals, 3 of which were while on the run and from distance. Incredibly, she kicked all 4 of the team’s goals across the day from the ruck..an extraordinary feat so unheard of it may have never ever happened before.

Jedda Driscoll was an Absolute Gun as well. Another super fit competitor, she won the ball all day and consistently, displaying pace to burn off opponents often taking running bounces, bravery in getting in and under, and tenacity in going at the ball harder than anyone else. What stood out above all others though, was her skill. Her ability to handle the ball cleanly with sticky fingers, never fumbling, was a real highlight, as was her kicking skills. Our Rolls Royce, the smooth mover is one of the silkiest female footballers I’ve seen.

Kaity Ford was phenomenal in defence. In that first game in freezing conditions, it was Kaity, despite being just a Year 7, who was clearly our best player, repeatedly chopping off the ball and repelling Cathedral’s attacks. Her courage was unbelievable, putting her body on the line, crashing into opponents at speed, and seeming to relish the physical contact more than others. Her knack of reading the play and knowing when to come off her line and attack the ball was remarkable. Another girl (along with Milly & Jedda) with great football genetics like her older brothers.

Isabelle Christison was another standout. Another of our many extremely athletic, skilful and all-round sporting talents in Year 8, and an automatic selection as Co-Captain for her leadership and outstanding character, she played in the role of “tall midfielder” with license to roam. She won the ball at will and you knew if it went near her, we would end up with the ball.

Ruby O’Kane, Year 7 and younger sister of Milly, also impressed. Lining up on a Wing where she could use her speed and endurance, she got better with each game as her confidence grew, and ended up a prime mover. Her ability to gather the ball while moving at pace, and then deliver smoothly, was brilliant.

Thank you to all girls for playing and representing the school in a flawless manner. Not only did they show up on a day where some others may have pulled out due to the cold, but they went over and above with their commitment to their team, and even pestered their coach to let them dive in the mud at the end of the day.

Thanks also to the 6 helpers, and especially to Year 7 boys Clarence Lampa and Will Sayers, who volunteered to run the boundary all day. Great stuff.

BEST PLAYERS: Milly O’Kane, Jedda Driscoll, Kaity Ford, Isabelle Christison, Ruby O’Kane.

GOAL KICKERS: Milly O’Kane 4

By Jud Mullins.

7-8 GIRLS FOOTBALL UPPER HUME

Junior Girls Football Team - 2023

BACK: Emily Swinburne, Kyanna Payne, Isabelle Christison (Co-Captain), Alana Young, Jasmine Fordham, Lily Byrne, Milly O’Kane (Co-Captain), Lillian Hooper (Co-Captain), Liv Day. FRONT: Lucy Armstrong, Angela Keenan, Ruby O’Kane, Jasmina Scott, Kaity Ford, Charlotte Walker, Jedda Driscoll, Sophie Salmon, Kayla Jose.

7-8 GIRLS FOOTBALL UPPER HUME

LEFT: Year 7 helpers Clarence Lampa & Will Sayers.

BELOW: Year 7 girl helpers Poppy Scholte, Tayla Wyatt, Zya Da Silva, Grace Wingrave & Jas Harper.

BOYS NETBALL UPPER HUME

A fantastic day of great skills, ariel jumps, great shots, sneaky tips, chase downs and quick hands and feet, at the Upper Hume Interschool Boys Netball on Wednesday 26th July at the Barr Reserve.

A big thank-you to Sandy Newman and her team of helpers Ellie Meggs, Zoi Miliankos King and Ava Byrne for the smooth event organisation on the day.

Sandy and her team coordinated 3 age group round robins - a total of 19 teams and all the umpires for each game. Great job by Leah Anderson umpiring today.

Wangaratta High had three teams represented today.

The games were 10 minutes halves with 4-minute break at half time and 9-minute break between games.

A big thank-you to the coaches of the Year 7 & 8 team: Sam Couche, Harrison Goeby, Pieper Gottschling and Georgia Meggs. These students worked with the Year 7 & 8 team for six games and improved their skills and understanding of the game of netball. Well done.

A big thank-you to Sheri Parkhouse for coaching the Year 11 and 12 team. Thanks to Cindy Chalmers for assisting with team selections, training and umpiring practice matches.

Year 7 & 8 Team The team: James Chisolm, Andrew Fraser, Lionel Huggins, Zeke Kennedy, Clarence Lampa, Dylan Mcombe, Max Marek, Isaac Robinson and Kayden Vozlic. (Lachlan Downing was selected in the team but could not play on the day).

The team played very well throughout their six games.

All players improved a lot and learnt to play in new and different positions. Well done 7 & 8 Boys.

Year 9 & 10 Team The team: Oscar Benson, Hayden Currie, Ryley Downing, Jack Ford, Tom Ford, Jye Laxton, Ned O’Kane, Lachie Pensak and Lachlan Suffield.

(Brad Bertalli was selected in the team but could not play on the day).

The team demonstrated outstanding skills, tactics, strategies, amazing aerobic power, and gamesmanship in all six games played.

The 9 & 10 team played 5 games in a row before a bye then their last game. All team members contributed to the wins.

WHS 15 – Galen 7 WHS 15 – Marian 6 WHS 15 – Felltimber 2 WHS 24 – CCW 1 WHS 15 – Huon 9 WHS 18 – Victory 10

Senior Team The Senior Boys team were gallant in defeat. The boys came up against some stiff competition and were never out of the game. Sadly they came away with no wins – however, challenged every team that opposed them. The true spirit of Wangaratta High School was embossed with this team - they were respectful, showed kindness and helpful attitudes to both students and teachers on the day and were the epitome of good sports, showcasing our school values to the highest standard. Well done boys, a great day out.

By Zelda Yeates

BOYS NETBALL UPPER HUME

Junior Boys Netball ‘23 BACK: Sam Couche (Coach), Harrison Goeby (Coach) Lionel Huggins, Max Marek, Kayden Vozlic, James Chisholm, Zeke Hogan, Isaac Robinson, Pieper Gottschling (Coach), Georgia Meggs (Coach).

FRONT: Andrew Fraser, Dylan McCombe, Clarence Lampa.

Inter Boys Netball ‘23

UPPER HUME CHAMPIONS BACK: Ned O’Kane, Jack Ford, Tom Ford, Hayden Currie, Jye Laxton, Lachlan Pensak, Oscar Benson FRONT: Ryley Downing, Lachlan Suffield.

Senior Boys Netball ‘23 FROM LEFT: Xavier Zachariou, Brandon Harrison, Todd Rufford-Sharpe, Will Carmody, Lachlan Barbour, Darcy Stone, Connor O’Brien, Clove Boonzayer, Ollie Chambers.

YEAR 7 BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

18 of our Year 7s got their first ever chance to play Interschool Basketball, in the Upper Hume tournament at the Wodonga Leisure Centre on Friday 4th August.

Four senior students came along for the ride as mentors/coaches. Long-time Warriors representative player, Year 11 Lachy Barbour was Head Coach of the boys, and his Assistant Coach Xavier “Big Xav” Zachariou proved he wasn’t mucking around when he arrived at the Bus Stop clutching a Clip Board.

A couple of Year 9s ably mentored/coached the girls team. Another Warriors rep player in Jack Ford took the role of Head Coach assisted by Oscar Benson, with Jack coaching his younger sister Kaity bringing an extra something special to the day for the Ford family.

Packed into a 24 seater with Thomas Fieldew providing a soundtrack of tasty R&B, Mumble Rap and 2000s Girl Pop, and plays being drawn up on the Clip Board, the vibe on the bus with bonding across the sexes and age groups and the winter sun blasting through the glass was a taste of what makes Interschool Sport so powerful even before a whistle was blown.

At the Leisure Centre, the boys were picked off in their 10:00 opener by eventual champion Victory Lutheran College Wodonga, but then defeated local rival Cathedral College thanks to an ice cool threepointer from the talented Isaac Robinson to seal the victory in the closing minutes.

The boys were gallant all day against all 6 opponents which also included Catholic College Wodonga, Galen College, and two Wodonga Middle Years College campuses, losing two of those matches narrowly including one after missing a 3 at the buzzer.

Nick Dark was the standout player top scoring with 41 points for the tournament. He was brilliant in anticipating and intercepting passes at half court, moving like a mid-hunt Leopard, then fast-breaking to the basket scoring by lay-ups or shooting from under the rim and rarely missing. He remarkably scored all of the team’s 14 points against Catholic College.

Clarence Lampa was our next top scorer with 13. He was also a playmaker with a bit of Magic Johnson Showtime about him in the way he likes a no-look pass. Oskar McGahan was our 3rd top scorer with 12. Tall and athletic, he could have scored a lot more had he had his shooting touch on earlier in the day.

When he eventually found it, he scored an easy 8 points in the final match and looked dangerous.

Isaac Robinson put in 9 points for the tournament including top scoring with 7 in the win against Cathedral. He was able to do it all and so smoothly, taking the tip offs, playing the point, and scoring matchwinners, and the team was at its best when he was firing.

Jeremy Baguley and Thomas Fieldew also contributed to the scoreboard with 7 and 6 points respectively to round out a fairly even list of scorers across an excellent day.

Over on the girls courts, the girls team was led by Captain and Bushrangers representative player Kaity Ford who was their “General” as well as top scoring with 17 points for the tournament across their 5 matches, further cementing herself into the WHS sporting books as our standout Year 7 female in both Football and Basketball this year.

Thanks to all players for representing the school in a wonderful manner all day, and to the 4 senior boys for assisting and being terrific role models for our up and coming Year 7s. It was a super day of Interschool Sport from a busload of outstanding young people.

Best of luck to the Year 8 teams who have their tournament next Monday, and the Intermediate teams who are currently going through vigorous tryouts with 18 boys and 14 girls trying out.

By Jud Mullins

YEAR 7 BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

7 Boys Basketball ‘23 Thomas Fieldew Darcy Waide Isaac Robinson Zack Wills Jeremy Bagley Jed Murray Oskar McGahan Clarence Lampa Nick Dark

Year 7 Girls Basketball ‘23 BACK: Lacy Solimo, Remi Thewlis, Tirandi Abeyawardana, Ruby O’Kane, Kaity Ford, Inanay Gilson, Kayla Jose., FRONT: Paige Hanley Liv Day.

CLIPBOARD KINGS: Year 11 boys Xavier “Big Xav” Zachariou and Lachlan Barbour coaching the Year 7 Boys.

YEAR 7 BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

Isaac Robinson wins the tip off against Galen

Thomas Fieldew takes possession

Isaac Robinson runs the floor

Clarence Lampa sizing things up

Jeremy Bagley sets his feet to shoot

Nick Dark shoots from the Free Throw line

BADMINTON HUME REGION

We are proud to announce that another Interschool Sport team are on their way to Melbourne for the State Finals, after the Year 8 Girls Badminton team eclipsed rivals from FCJ Benalla, Notre Dame Shepparton and Yarrawonga P-12 College to win the Hume Region tournament at the Shepparton Sports Centre on Tuesday 15th August.

Comprising of the same 6 girls that made it to State last year as Year 7s -- Milly O’Kane, Lillian Hooper, Isabelle Christison, Casey Sheppard, Angela Keenan and Alanna Hepburn -- the girls were never really threatened (albeit slightly more than when blitzing the Upper Hume tournament), taking home another coveted blue and yellow pennant.

The girls now look forward to another trip to Melbourne on Friday 8th September, where they expect to again face some of the crack Sport Colleges from the city, home to the best of the best players in Victoria. Our proud school community wishes them luck.

They were on the day accompanied by our Year 7 girls team, who after finishing 2nd at the Upper Hume stage in Wodonga, gained a special invite due to a school from Broadford pulling out. The Year 7s jumped at the chance to play in Shepparton, and were so good that they would have finished 2nd had they won their final doubles match.

We thank all 11 girls for being great ambassadors for our school on the day. You may notice these names are the fulcrum of most of our girls teams in many sports, which is a credit to their talent and commitment to the school’s loved Interschool Sport program. We are lucky to have them.

Special thanks too go to staff members Alannah Baguley and Kaye O’Kane for taking the girls. For Kaye, a day to treasure with her two daughters.

By Jud Mullins

TOP: Year 7 girls Kaity Ford and Ruby DeFazio ABOVE: Liv Day and Kaity Ford.

BADMINTON HUME REGION

8 Girls Badminton ‘23

HUME REGION CHAMPIONS BACK: Isabelle Christison, Lillian Hooper, Angela Keenan, Alana Hepburn.

FRONT: Casey Sheppard, Milly O’Kane

7 Girls Badminton ‘23 L-R: Ruby O’Kane, Liv Day, Kaity Ford, Ruby DeFazio, Inanay Gilson, Alannah Baguley (Coach).

BADMINTON HUME REGION

L H re

ABOVE: The Year 8s hold up their Hume Region Championship flag, ready to hang in the Sport Centre.

INTER BOYS NETBALL HUME REGION

The boys played 3 games at Hume Region Netball on Thursday 10th August. They lost to Yarrawonga, however they defeated Galen College and Seymour. Galen beat Yarrawonga, meaning the day ended on a 3 way tie at the end of the rounds. Unfortunately the day was lost on percentage.

The team: Hayden Currie, Ryley Downing, Luke Griffiths, Jye Laxton, Ned O'Kane, Lachlan Suffield, Oscar Benson, Jack Ford and Lachie Pensak.

A big thank-you to Luke Griffiths who came into the team as Tom Ford was on a school camp. Thanks to Jedda Driscoll and Milly O'Kane for helping out on the day.

Great work.

By Zelda Yeates

Inter Boys Netball - Hume Region ‘23 FROM LEFT: Ned O’Kane, Lachlan Pensak, Oscar Benson, Jack Ford, Jye Laxton, Lachlan Suffeild, Luke Griffiths, Hayden Currie, Ryley Downing.

SPRINT CARNIVAL

Our first ever 100m Sprint Carnival had the whole school buzzing at Lunchtime on Tuesday 29th August.

Who would prove themselves the school’s fastest?

With a short-cropped track mowed into the Soccer Pitch by our groundsman Geoff Cox, and the sun out in the middle of a blue sky, the scene was set as everyone rushed from Homeroom to claim the best bench seats along the length of the track.

Ms Stewart’s Year 12s manned a Food Stall selling Hotdogs & Icy Poles, with Rayden “Buckets” Toll spinning pump-up music from a loudspeaker, and Mrs Sullivan’s Year 10 Microbusiness class did a great job setting up a Drink Shop, adding to the atmosphere halfway down the straight.

Special Guest Official Mrs Newman (still officially on Long Service Leave) returned for a visit, overseeing with experience the Finish Line and Results Table with Mrs Chalmers and their skilled 8 teachers on Stop Watches adjacent.

Late entries were permitted at the Marshalling Table manned by Mrs Benson and Mrs O’Kane, and in total 75 runners raced to settle once and for all who would qualify to run the 100m at the following Thursday’s Upper Hume Athletics Carnival in Albury. The top 4 place getters for each race will make the 4x100m Relay teams.

The overall Final Standings showed that the 3 quickest runners at the school are all Year 10 Boys. Jye Laxton was the Champion, his time of 12.62 just pipping Tom Ford (12.97) and Lachlan Suffield (13.03). All boys are key members of many of our sport teams, most recently the Intermediate Boys Netball team who dominated the Upper Hume Carnival and then a fortnight ago almost won the Hume Region stage, narrowly missing making it to the State Finals (by percentage).

For the Girls, it was a Year 10 followed by two Year 8s who were the Top 3 quickest in the school. Year 10 Claire Christison emerged the quickest at 14.85, cementing herself a remarkable all-round athlete, having made it to State for Cross Country this year at a distance of 3000m. Outstanding. Two other allrounders who are key members of pretty much all of our Year 8 Girls sporting teams & who are heading to the State Badminton Finals in Melbourne next Thursday, proved themselves the 2nd and 3rd fastest. They were Casey Sheppard (15.15) and Lillian Hooper (15.33).

Other performances of note were two boys who won their 100m race, that also made the Top 10 in the 3000m Cross Country Upper Hume race in Myrtleford in Term 2 (and in Leo’s case, all the way to the State Final).

SPRINT CARNIVAL

They were Kade Hadley of Year 9, and Leo Woodburne of Year 7. It takes an excellent athlete to be able to perform to such a high level at both distances. Certainly the kind of attribute that should help Kade in his upcoming trials for the V-Line Under 15 Football Squad, which will select the best 22 footballers in the North East.

It was brilliant to see so many of our kids willing to compete under the watchful eyes of peers, and also to have so many cheering them on. A super scene and a highlight of the year so far.

By Jud Mullins

SPRINT CARNIVAL

YEAR 10 BOYS TAKE OFF: From left - Zavier Frost, Anthony Chisholm, Jai Lawford, Tom Ford, Lachlan Suffield, Jye Laxton.

UNDER 17 BOYS: From left - Clove Boonzayer, Ned O’Kane, Tristan Scott.

SPRINT CARNIVAL

Jail Laxton and Tom Ford.

Claire Christison

Eli Stegman, Alec Armstrong and Will Murray.

Markus Mibini and Aurelio McIllroy.

SPRINT CARNIVAL RESULTS FOR EACH YEAR LEVEL

SPRINT CARNIVAL RESULTS FOR EACH AGE GROUP

YEAR 8 BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

16 of our top Year 8 sportspeople took part in the Upper Hume Year 8 Basketball tournament on Monday 21st August at the Wodonga Leisure Centre.

With a full 10-strong squad of girls to make up for small team of boys depleted by the loss of key players, and 5 keen Year 9 mentors/coaches/helpers, there wasn’t a spare seat on the bus such was the demand for spots on the journey.

Coach Loiterton reports the Boys worked well together and were led by key talls Max Marek (top scorer), James Chisholm and Kayden Vozlic, also interestingly our three standout players in School Football in Term 2.

The trio of smaller guards in Dylan McCombe, Jordan Jackson and Cooper Lack were said to be tenacious and hardworking across the 4 matches. The boys finished 1-4, defeating Myrtleford’s Marian College 19-17, and falling just 5 points shy of Victory Lutheran College Wodonga.

Across the stadium, the Girls manage to finished 2nd in their pool, convincingly defeating Victory Lutheran College Wodonga 22-8, but falling short to the extremely strong & eventual Champion Catholic College Wodonga.

Jedda Driscoll drew praise for her tenacity and end to end running and playmaking, while Milly O’Kane, this year’s Ovens & King Netball League Best & Fairest and MVP at Under 15, was able to transfer her Netball skills to the unfamiliar sport to lead the team in scoring. Isabelle Christison was a beast in defence, and Kyanna Payne chimed in with points as well.

Thank you to all 16 players, and 5 helpers, for representing the school with by all reports “sensational” behaviour and attitude, and for having a red hot go. Special thanks to staff members Damian Loiterton & Christine Watson for handling a super day out for a large group of some of our most outstanding kids, in the Sporting category and others.

By Jud Mullins

8 Boys Basketball ‘23 L-R: Levi Zachariou (Coach), Jack Ford (Coach), Cooper Lack, Kayden Vozlic, Max Marek, Dylan McCombe, Jordan Jackson, James Chisholm, Oscar Benson (Coach).

YEAR 8 BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

Year 8 Basketball

BACK: Cooper Lack, James Chisholm, Jordan Jackson, Dylan McCombe, Kayden Vozlic, Angela Keenan, Emily Swinburne, Lily Byrne, Erin Collins.

FRONT: Max Marek, Kyanna Payne, London Sloan, Jedda Driscoll, Casey Sheppard.

INTER BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

Our Year 9 and 10s got their turn to hit the Interschool Basketball scene on Wednesday 29th August, at the Upper Hume Intermediate tournament at the Wodonga Leisure Centre.

These were the two most hotly contested Basketball teams of 2023 in terms of tryouts, with 16 boys and 15 girls trialling over 3 separate days in the Bruce Revell Sport Stadium.

In the end, two 8-strong sides boarded the minibus to the Border, with the boys being unluckily crippled by Footy Injuries on the weekend prior, which ruled out key players Jack Ford and the Pensak Brothers, Kallam & Lachy.

Final Standings saw the Boys finishing 1-3 from their 4 matches, defeating Wodonga Middle Years College (48-12), but losing to Cathedral College by 2 points (21-23), Galen College by 6 (24-30) and Wodonga Senior Secondary College by 2 (20-22). With all 3 losses being by narrow margins, it suggests that with a full strength team, it’s possible they may have done what they did in the Boys Netball, and won it.

Jye Laxton was top scorer followed by Tom Ford.

The Girls were good enough to draw with Wodonga Senior Secondary College (12-12), but had a tougher time of it due to being made up of mostly Netballers. Pieper Gottschling was the key playmaker and top scorer, with Lucy Williamson also hitting the scoreboard.

Special thanks to staff Amy Waide and Hailey Ronald for taking the group. To our 6 helpers, thank you for your contributions. To our 16 players, thanks again for representing our school on what was by all reports another fantastic day of Interschool Sport.

By Jud Mullins

Here is an Event Report from the Boys Head Coach, Amy Waide: “All the students represented the school well and showed fantastic sportsmanship. The boys were awarded 6 penalty points in the first match with Cathedral as CCW were running late. Billy Hiskins did try to argue that it should be a point for every minute they were late. If there was anyone who had brought the most enthusiasm and team spirt for the day it was Billy.

Tom Ford showed great leadership throughout the day and at one point when the ball was fumbled and Wodonga Senior Secondary College scored, Tom called for his team mates to keep their heads up. Tom’s height served him well and enabled him to grab many rebounds. Jack Lockhart and Oscar Benson were dogged and never once quit. Jye Laxton’s speed and agility set the pace for all games and kept the ball moving quickly down the court. Kade Hadley and Hayden Cornhill were solid contributors.

A muck around game with their mates from Galen College before their last game showed how much they enjoy just playing the game even if it didn’t count towards anything. This set the tone for their final match with Wodonga Middle Years College.

The whole team was relaxed, and it showed with lots of smiles and jokes resulting in a win.

The coaching Team of Jack Ford, Gus Jayet and Manager Emilio Milliankos-King worked well rotating players off the bench.

The girls well it wasn’t their day. As Basketballers they are fantastic Netballers. Georgia Meggs couldn’t stay on the sideline and pulled on a singlet, and Imogen Robinson desperately wanted to play and needed to be reminded that her finger is in fact broken and it wasn’t worth risking further damage.

Great bunch of young people

😊.”

INTER BASKETBALL UPPER HUME

Inter Girls Basketball ‘23 BACK: Zoe Miliankos-King, Ava Byrne, Ellie Meggs, Pieper Gottschling, Stevie Driscoll, Claire Christison, Clare Collins, Lucy Williamson, Imogen Robinson.

FRONT: Georgia Meggs, Hannah Stafford.

UPPER HUME ATHLETICS Our students put on a great display at the Upper Hume Track & Field Carnival last Thursday 7th September at the Les O’Brien Athletics Complex in Albury.

After extensive competition at school to decide our School Champions at each event via P.E classes, our Sprint Carnival and other events, there wasn’t a single seat left on the bus as a monster contingent of 57 students made their way up the highway to compete against the best from the 8 other schools in the Upper Hume area from Wangaratta, Wodonga & Myrtleford.

Overall our athletes won 15 events, were runner-up in 8 events, and 3rd place in 18 events. 20 athletes, after finishing 1st or 2nd, have qualified for the next stage (Hume Region) which is back in Albury on Thursday 5th October. State is the next stage after that.

A massive individual highlight was Merlin Tzaros who, after winning the 3000m event which was open age, blitzing the field of runners many of whom were older than him, then broke the 1500m 15 Boys record by 2 seconds. He now has 2 Upper Hume records, having broken the 3000m Cross Country record in 2021 up in Myrtleford when in Year 7. He also has an Upper Hume record from Primary School, making it 3 total. If not for the Lockdowns seeing some events cancelled in 2021 and 2022, he would likely have more.

Merlin becomes our 30th record holder, just the 3rd in the last decade, and only three others ever in the history of the school (Xanthea Dewez from the early 2010s, Luke Brabazon from the 2000s, and Bree Spasojevic from the early 1990s) have more Upper Hume records than he does. The all-time list of W.H.S record breaker is interesting reading.

ABOVE: Merlin Tzaros.

UPPER HUME ATHLETICS In other great individual feats, Tom Ford won the overall Age Group Champion in the 16 Boys age group, going one better than last year when missing out narrowly. The gun all-rounder this year won 3 individual events (800m, Triple Jump & Discus), was part of the winning 4x100m Relay team, and got a 3rd place in the 200m.

The other standout was Milly O'Kane, who finished Runner-Up in her Age Group Champion award for the 15 Girls. Milly missed by just 2 points, and would have won if not for missing two of her events due to not hearing the marshalling announcements. This is another accolade for Milly who has this year won an Ovens & King League Netball Best & Fairest & MVP award, as well as being our best player in sports teams such as Badminton, Football, Netball & Basketball.

We had 3 others who placed in their Age Group Champion. Jye Laxton was equal 2nd in the 16 Boys, having won the High Jump & Long Jump plus the Relay, and getting a 3rd in the 100m.

Casey Sheppard was 3rd in the 14 Girls Age Group after winning the 200m. Claire Christison was 3rd in the 16 Girls having placed in the 100m, 200m and Long Jump.

Other students to win an event included two Year 7 boys in Jansen Robles (Shot Put) and Jeremy Bagley (Javelin), Year 8 Emily Swinburne (Shot Put), Year 10 Wirra Gilson in his 1500m, and finally the 16 Boys 4x100m Relay team of Lachlan Suffield, Jye Laxton, Harvey Cook and Tom Ford. It’s a big feat to win any Upper Hume event, so congratulations to all of these winner.

FROM TOP: Harvey Cook passing the baton to Tom Ford; Tom Ford final leg; Clove Boonzayer and Reuben Smith; Pieper Gottschling and Clare Collins..

UPPER HUME ATHLETICS Special mention to Milly & Casey (and Isabelle Christison & Angela Keenan who both competed in Albury as well), who the day after, would be in the car at 5am heading to Melbourne for the State Badminton Finals as part of the Year 8 team. Super effort.

Thanks Morgan Clark & Newmo for coming up, and the many parents who were there as well a support, some of whom took their kids by car in order to allow more competitors to have a seat on the bus and hence be able to compete.

We couldn’t speak highly enough of the quality of the kids that were there, or their manners, respect & behaviour across the day. An outstanding day from a wonderful group of young people. .

4x 100m RELAY CHAMPIONS: Tom Ford, Jye Laxton, Lachlan Suffield and Harvey Cook with their 1st Place ribbons.

UPPER HUME ATHLETICS

ALL OUR UPPER HUME ATHLETICS RECORDS We love to celebrate the strong history of our school, especially in School Sport, and with Merlin Tzaros breaking his 2nd Upper Hume Athletics carnival in Albury last week, adding it to the All-Time Record list reminds us of other past champions.

Merlin now has 2 records in his 1st 3 years of High School, and is one of only 5 students in the history of the school to be a Multiple Record holder. The only people with more, are legends Xanthea Dewez, Luke Brabazon and Bree Spasojevic.

Xanthea Dewez’s 3 records are of note as they are in 3 different events - 800m, 1500m and 3000m. She was also a champion Cross Country skier, and in that same period competed in World Championship Ski Championships around the world including the countries of Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, Italy and Kazakhstan. One of the great all-rounders we have seen come through the school, she went on to study Medicine and I believe is now a Doctor.

Luke Brabazon holds 3 records set as a Year 7 and 8 which have stood now for almost 20 years. “Braba” was a Man Mountain and a real larrikin.

Bree Spasojevic was another champion whose records in Long Jump and the 400m were so elite that they still stand 30 years later. To hold one record for so long would be something, but to hold 3 is extraordinary. Bree is one of the extreme few to have scored a perfect 50/50 in Year 12 Physical Education, (Ulrika Wild in 2021 may be the only to have done it since), then returned as a P.E teacher at the school, and has recently coached many junior champions at Little Athletics.

Other than Merlin and Tristian Fletcher-Blake , Jack Boulton is the only one in the last decade to hold one, last year breaking the 200m. Although Jack only attended with us in Year 11 and 12 after crossing rom Cathedral, he is statistically the greatest athlete we’ve ever had, and probably that Wangaratta has ever had, alongside Bella Pasquali who is also breaking records up there every year including 3 more this year.

Not only does Jack hold 10 Upper Hume records, the most of anybody ever, but he would have far more if not for the Lockdowns which saw the carnival cruelly cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 when he was in his prime. To highlight how good he was, he also won National Gold Medals at the Australian Junior Championships in the 100m, 200m and 400m, including breaking an all-time Australian record at 400m. Phenomenal.

The list contains many names of interest with strong family links. Liam Patrick was recruited to Wesley College in Melbourne on a Sport Scholarship not long after setting that Triple Jump record as a 15 year old in 2012, and is now a model often spotted in the catalogues of online stores such as Cotton On. His father Craig was also an athlete of note when attending here, making a Victorian Country Teal Cup U17 football team, being part of a Year 11-12 Herald Sun Cup State Champ footy team, and then being drafted to North Melbourne in the AFL. Two other boys from that same footy team also got drafted to the AFL (Scott Williamson to West Coast and Joe Wilson to Brisbane).

ALL OUR UPPER HUME ATHLETICS RECORDS Some other footballers litter the list. Daniel Boyle was rookie-listed to Port Adelaide, and held many Upper Hume records for a time which have been picked off over the years since, only his Javelin & Relay ones still in place. Incredibly Boyley won State Gold Medals at both the 100m and 200m in 4 of the 6 years that he attended here. Boyley recalls in Year 12 at the State Champs running 2nd in both the 100m and 200m to his main rival through those years - future Brownlow Medalist Patrick Dangerfield.

Michael Bertalli holds two 1500m records which are an impressive 24 and 25 years old.

His younger brother Bradley attends here now. Interestingly, Merlin Tzaros will be gunning for both of Bertalli’s long-standing records over the next two years.

Kieran Boal is another multiple winner, holding an 800m record almost 20 years old, as well as a 4x100 Relay. His dad Steve was a P.E teacher at the school for many years before becoming a Paramedic.

Another one of interest is Catherine Collins, whose Triple Jump record from 1993 has lasted an amazing 30 years. Her daughter, Emily Swinburne, last week won the Shot Put at the same complex.

We look forward to updating this list with future winners when they arise. With the Hume Region Athletics carnival coming up next term, we’ll also have a look at how many records we have at that stage.

By Jud Mullins THIS PAGE: Speedsters Jack Boulton (top in 2022) and Daniel Boyle (bottom in 2004).

ALL OUR UPPER HUME ATHLETICS RECORDS

STATE BADMINTON Year 8 Girls Compete in Melbourne Again

5 of our Year 8 Girls (Milly O’Kane, Isabelle Christison, Casey Sheppard, Alanna Hepburn and Angela Keenan) competed in the State Badminton Finals on Friday 8th September at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre in Albert Park, after dominating both the Upper Hume (in Wodonga) and Hume Region (in Shepparton) tournaments recently.

Missing key player Lillian Hooper (holidaying in Europe), and hitting the highway at 5:30am, with four of them backing up after the Upper Hume Athletics Carnival in Albury the day prior, it was a giant effort to even get there.

In their first “rubber” they almost defeated Ballarat High School, with the 3rd and 4th ranked players in Casey Sheppard (21-16) and Alanna Hepburn (2117) both winning their singles matches in pressurecooker high-stakes contests, and then Alanna & Angela winning their doubles match (21-14). The end result was an even 3-3 matches each, however we lost by just 2 points on the Count Back, proving that every single point counts.

The next two rubbers proved much tougher however, as the girls were overcome by very strong teams from Melbourne Girls College and Narre Warren South P-12, with the only win against those two powerhouses being Isabelle Christison’s in her singles match against Melbourne Girls College, triumphing in a close one 21-17.

To the girls, congratulations on making it to the State Finals for the 2nd time in a row. It’s a wonderful effort for a group of girls that don’t play the sport in competition. We’re all proud of you.

A massive thank you goes out to staff member and mum Kaye O’Kane for driving the girls to and from the city. A huge effort. It was also terrific to hear that Casey’s mum and Isabelle’s grandmother also went down to support the girls on what was by all reports a wonderful day.

HUME ATHLETICS A 19-strong contingent of our top athletes had a significant and historical day of success at the Hume Region Track & Field Carnival in Albury last Thursday 5th October.

Having qualified by winning either 1st or 2nd place at the Upper Hume stage in September, our athletes this time competed against a total of 35 schools from as far away as Seymour, Shepparton, Tallangatta, Mansfield, Yea, Mt Beaty, Bright, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Benalla, Beechworth and Rushworth, all vying for a spot at the State Championships in Melbourne.

Despite the odds, our 19 athletes picked up 6 Gold, 2 Silver, and 5 Bronze medals, our biggest haul in a while (we won 2 Gold last year).

A massive congratulations go out especially to the Gold Medallists – Jeremy Bagley, Milly O’Kane, Jye Laxton, Tom Ford, Lachlan Barbour, Harvey Cook and Lachlan Suffield.

These 7 will now compete in the Victorian State Track & Field Championships in Melbourne on Monday 16th October at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park.

Special mention to Usual Guns in Year 10 boys Tom Ford & Jye Laxton who were the individual standouts on the day, coming home with 2 Gold Medals each, and both medalling in every event they were in.

Tom had a monster of a day. He won Gold in his Triple Jump, his 11.62m effort 69cm longer than his Upper Hume best, and won by 48cm from his Victory Lutheran Wodonga rival. Tom also picked up Silver in the Discus, Bronze in the 800m, and then Gold as part of the 4x100m Relay team which won by 2 metres. An outstanding effort across a range of disciplines, Tom again cemented himself one of the great all-round athletes, and people, the school has had in recent years.

RIGHT: Tom Ford

HUME ATHLETICS Jye had an epic battle against a Broadford Secondary College lad to win his High Jump on a countback, equalling his Upper Hume leap of 1.65m. He followed up with a Bronze in the Long Jump, jumping 5.40m, 7cm short of his Upper Hume result. Like Tom, he then secured his 2nd Gold in the Relay with a pivotal sprint on the back straight.

Year 7 boy Jeremy Bagley was our youngest Gold medallist, throwing his Javelin 27.39m into the wind but 7m further than his previous result at Upper Hume, this time beating his Greater Shepparton Secondary College rival by almost 4 metres. Wonderful to see new Year 7 talent scoring a spot at a State Championship.

All-round star Milly O’Kane won her Javelin event by 12cm over a rival from Corryong College, throwing 21.51m, 1.42m further than Upper Hume. The Year 8 champ also collected Bronze in the Triple Jump, however her 8.62 jump was 60cm shorter than her Upper Hume jump, which would have won her Gold this time by 20cm to put her in her two individual events at the State Champs.

Lachlan Barbour of Year 11 was another to outgun his Upper Hume result, hurling his Discus over 4 metres further than September, his 29.48m winning him his Gold by almost 5m over his Wodonga Senior Secondary College nemesis.

Harvey Cook and Lachlan Suffield chimed in late in the day, teaming up with Tom & Jye in a 4x100m Relay team which led all the way after a strong Suffield start, with Tom bringing it home to win by 2m to Rutherglen High School, with Greater Shepparton & Yarrawonga P-12 even farther back.

FROM TOP: Cam Sgarioto, Lachlan SUFFIELD, Milly O’Kane

HUME ATHLETICS Our other Year 7 medallist, Jansen Robles, was so close to winning Gold as well. He threw 11m in the Shot Put, over a metre further than his Upper Hume hurl, and fell just 15cm short of a powerful Greater Shepparton SC boy who would have had close to 30kg on him and looked like he was 18 years old.

Other medallists included Year 10s Wirra Gilson in his 1500m and Imogen Robinson in the Shot Put, and the 15 Boys Relay team of Year 9s Sonny McCormack, Cooper Hardman, Kade Hadley and Cameron Sgarioto. Cam’s medal provided another nice bit of W.H.S history, as when perusing the alltime records at the State Championships, there is one Wangaratta High School student on the list, Deborah McLaughlin, whose Long Jump record set as a 17 year old in 1992 still stands 31 years later, and who happens to be Cameron’s aunt.

Thank you to all of our competitors, all of whom were outstanding across the day in all regards. Next year we hope to improve again on our Athletics results. We are seeking especially, “hidden gems” who are gun athletes that haven’t come forward to compete. We know we have many such kids, and we want to unearth them.

Thanks also to our legendary long-time Sport Coordinator Mrs Sandy “Newmo”Newman for coming up to what was her 25th and final Hume Region Athletics carnival. What a champion she has been for our school.

By Jud Mullins

HUME ATHLETICS All The Medalists

HUME ATHLETICS

16 Boys 4x100m Relay Gold Medalists Kade Hadley, Cooper Hardman, Sonny McCormack, Cam Sgarioto.

15 Boys 4x100m Relay Bronze Medalists Kade Hadley, Cooper Hardman, Sonny McCormack, Cam Sgarioto.

HUME ATHLETICS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:: Tom Ford , Jye Laxton, Milly O’Kane, Jeremy Bagley.

HUME ATHLETICS

INTER BOYS CRICKET After a week of torrential rain in the Northeast, the clouds parted, and the stage was set for a cracking day of Year 9 and 10 Boys’ cricket. The team took a quick bus journey down to the South Wangaratta Rec Reserve, only to find that the playing surface was more suitable for a swimming carnival than a junior cricket fixture. One local resident who was walking past with their dog claimed that a family of ducks was paddling about over near the sight screen at the far end. Phone calls were made, and the teams scrambled back to the Wangaratta High School Oval, aka ‘the home of cricket’, for what was sure to be a tight contest with Victory Lutheran College.

Winning the toss, home captain Ned O’Kane channelled the aura of Steve Waugh in the first test match at Chennai in 2001, sending the visitors in to bat on what looked like slightly-less damp conditions at the High.

After a close shout for caught behind in the first over, Ned drew first blood in his second over with an excellent Yorker, sending one of Victory’s openers back to the sheds for one run. Euca Boonzaayer struck next, with their number three batter spooning one to the cover fieldsman.

Intermediate Boys Cricket Team. 2023 FROM LEFT: Euca Boonzayer, Jack Ford, Jack Lockhart, Oscar Benson, Harvey Cook, Hamish Tanner, Tom Ford, Luke Griffiths, Emilio Miliankos-King, Morgan Clark (Coach), Ned O’Kane, Ryley Downing, Jack Preston.

INTER BOYS CRICKET Victory’s other opening began dishing out some pain for the WHS boys, dispatching anything short and wide with disdain. In one of the shrewder moves since Ricky Ponting threw the ball to Michael Clarke at the SCG in 2008 to save the match, captain O’Kane turned to Jack Lockhart for the breakthrough wicket, with some great wicketkeeping from Tom Ford resulting in a tough chance snared down the leg side. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with Tom and Jack Ford chiming in for two and three wickets each, respectively.

Victory finished their overs 8 wickets down for 110 runs, leaving a huge chase for WHS. Ned O’Kane and Euca Boonzaayer strode out to the crease to open to batting as lunch time was approaching at the High. Students began to filter outside and lined the boundary with anticipation, eagerly watching on. O’Kane put the bowling attack to the sword, playing several powerful shots before chipping a craftily disguised slower ball to mid-off. Boonzaayer was watchful, stonewalling his opponents in an effort many spectators likened to that of Francois du Plessis at the Adelaide Oval in 2012.

Eventually he was dismissed for 13, but not after hitting the only 6 of the innings, to the jovial cheers of many an onlooker.

Tom Ford and Hamish Tanner partnered up to steady the ship for WHS. Ford played a short cameo innings filled with dashing strokeplay, finding gaps in the field with the precision of a seasoned cardiac surgeon. He looked to be on a roll as he pummelled another ball down the ground, unfortunately straight into the hands of a fielder on the boundary. Tanner played more of a controlling innings, punching the ball into gaps, with the pro-WHS crowd cheering on his every run. ‘My goodness gracious, that’s bodacious’, exclaimed a loquacious young year 7 student, watching on from the FLC boundary area as Tanner pulled a short ball for a onebounce four.

Jack Preston, Jack Lockhart, Harvey Cook and Ryley Downing all came and went while Tanner was batting. None being able to go the distance with him. Eventually Hamish was run out on the last ball of the innings for 17, as the team fell 42 runs shy of the target.

The game was played in great spirits, with both teams having a go and sharing some wisecracks on the field. Thanks to Mr. Jud Mullins and Mrs. Sandy Newman for organising and assisting with the late venue change, and a huge thank you to all the students and staff who came along and watched some of the game at lunch time. The boys on the team really enjoyed that!

By Morgan Clark (Coach)

OPENING PAIR: Year 11 duo Euca Boonzayer and Ned OKane on their way to the pitch to open the batting

CLAY SHOOTING Congratulations to our 7 shooters who picked up a swathe of trophies yesterday at the 39th Annual Clay Target Championships held in Benalla.

Five of our students walked away with a 1st Place trophy, with Abby James picking up 1st in the New Girls category, and Connor Brown, Anthony Chisholm, James Chisholm & Ned James winning the New Boys Team.

Emma Jory finished 2nd in the New Girls, while Connor Brown was 2nd in the New Boys after a Shoot Off. Thanks to our shooters and families for representing us admirably on a super day out.

JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL UPPER HUME

A throttling contingent of 43 Year 7 and 8 students hit the Wodonga Leisure Centre on Thursday 12th October to compete in the Upper Hume Junior Volleyball tournament.

We fielded 4 teams selected via 3 days of intense tryouts, especially the Year 7 boys who had over 20 turn up and whom required a 2nd day of trials to finalise the team.

Following selection, both Year 7 teams led the charge in terms of training, with P.E staff receiving emails and knocks on the Stadium Door daily as up to 20 of them arrived at lunchtime every day for 8 days straight to practice their skills in what is a new sport to most, guided by Mr Manning & Newmo.

They were scenes reminiscent of the Glory Days of W.H.S Volleyball when Ric & Jenny Chivers led school teams to week-long trips to the National Championships in Canberra, and so it was fitting that new teacher Mr Scholes, an alumni of The Chivers Years, gave up a couple of his lunchtimes to visit and inspire the kids with his expertise.

In the end both the Year 7 Boys and Year 8 Girls teams couldn’t be reduced smaller than 10, with so many of them keen to be a part of the tournament.

At Wodonga, all 4 teams held their own. The Year 7 Boys got off to a flyer, beating Catholic College Wodonga, who dominate many of the sports at Upper Hume level, in a tense deciding 3rd set (40-31 overall). The boys also pulverised Wodonga Middle Years College’s Huon campus, sweeping them 2 sets to zero (40-25).

They then narrowly went down to Cathedral College, winning the 1st set but then dropping the next 2 by just a few points each.

JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL UPPER HUME

Clarence Lampa in particular is a genuine star, displaying the skills, reflexes and game sense of someone who has played Volleyball for years.

Zach Wills, Hugh Spring and Lee Woodburne were just 3 of the many others to show talent and reliability in a very strong group of boys that finished with a record of 2-2 for the day, but have serious potential for future years. Wangaratta West PS leadership got a thrill seeing this team’s Team Photo, with 8 of the 10 boys being ex-Wang Westers.

The Year 7 Girls also stitched up the usually strong Catholic College Wodonga, blitzing them 2-0 (40-20). They lost their other 3 matches, but were very close to victory against Cathedral (37-41) and Wodonga Middle Years College Felltimber (36-40).

Kaity Ford and Taylah Wyatt were standouts in the team, showing a great ability to master the tough skills of both serving and digging, which many Year 7s and beginners struggle with. Inanay Gilson was another to shine with her technique in both serving and digging. Again, there is some serious all-round sporting talent in Year 7 among our girls.

At Year 8, both teams relied more on natural talent and instinct, having not trained like the Year 7s had. However both teams had some great results.

The Girls dominated their opening match against Catholic College Wodonga, triumphing 2-0 (4020). They also lost 2 further matches which could have easily gone their way, losing to Cathedral (37-41) and Wodonga Middle Years Felltimber (36-40).

With the likes of talls Milly O’Kane and Isabelle Christison and other all-round sporting talents like Jedda Driscoll showing a natural capability at the game, this is a team that with some training could be dangerous in the future.

JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL UPPER HUME

The Year 8 Boys were even more raw, but again were good enough to win their first match against Wodonga Middle Years Felltimber, 2 sets to 1 (49-45). They started sluggish against opponents warmed up fresh from another game, yet improved quickly to take the win.

The athletic James Chisholm especially and to nobody’s surprise, proved a threat anywhere near the net. His explosive vertical jump and ability to spike the ball was impressive, with his sidekick Jordan Jackson setting him up regularly. Max Marek was another to take to the game easily, as he & James both do with any sport.

Great to see so many of our kids soaking up the great sport of Volleyball. This was our first appearance at the Upper Hume tournament since 2019, but our kids seem to have a real taste for it now. With the Wangaratta Volleyball League set to return once the WISAC/Barr Reserve Basketball Court Renovations are finished, don’t be surprised if we have quite a lot of our kids signing up to play in the league.

Thanks to Mr Manning, Newmo, and Year 9 mentors Stevie Driscoll and Ava Byrne for coming along to help on what was a great day of W.H.S School Sport

By Jud Mullins.

JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL UPPER HUME

7 Girls Volleyball BACK: Ruby Burns, Ruby O’Kane, Liv Day, Lacy Solimo, Inanay Gilson.

FRONT: Emily Matthews, Taylah Wyatt, Kaity Ford, Bella White, Laney Evans.

8 Girls Volleyball BACK: Kyanna Payne, London Sloan, Lucila Solomua, Jedda Driscoll, Emily Swinburne.

FRONT: Lillian Hooper, Isabelle Christison, Milly O’Kane, Casey Sheppard, Angele Keenan..

BOXER WINS DEBUT FIGHT The school community congratulates Year 9 boy Luke Macklan, who last weekend had his first ever Amateur Boxing fight and won.

After a previous fight had to be rescheduled due to not being able to find suitable opponents, Luke kept training and finally got his chance, fighting at the famous Melbourne Pavilion on Sunday night, October 8th.

Luke was pitted against an opponent of a similar age and weight, however it was revealed his opponent had already had 5 previous fights, and had been a Victorian State Champion, making it a mismatch in terms of experience.

However according to Luke’s trainer, Greg Foster from the Ultimate Fighting Academy where Luke has been learning boxing since he was 10 years old, Luke “dominated” the fight in a brilliant display.

He was so close to knocking his opponent out that the referee almost stopped the fight on a couple of occasions. One of those was after a body shot that drew an 8-second count, before a series of Straight Rights to the face got his opponent leaking, with the ref lifting Luke’s arm as the winner after two 90 second rounds.

We applaud Luke’s outstanding achievement and the courage and skill he displayed in doing so.

Furthermore, Luke’s commitment to training in a Sport he has found a passion for, and his overall focus on fitness and health, are things all of your young boys, and girls as well, should be inspired by.

Well done Champ.

STATE TRACK & FIELD 7 COMPETE @ LAKESIDE STADIUM

Our 7 qualifiers from Hume Region ventured to Melbourne for the Victorian State Track & Field Championships at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne.

Newmo arranged a luxury mini-bus for the trip, while many at school were tuned in to watch them on the Livestream.

Junior students Jeremy Bagley (Year 7) and Milly O’Kane (Year 8) were both our equal top performers, both finishing up 5th in the State for Javelin. Tom Ford (Javelin) and Lachlan Barbour (Discus) both came 6th.

A great experience for all to compete against and watch the very best in the State. .

Event Times: 1:30 - Milly O'Kane - Javelin 3:00 - Jeremy Bagley - Javelin 3:30 - Tom Ford - Triple Jump 4:00 - Jye Laxton - High Jump 4:00 - Lachlan Barbour - Discus 7:08 - Lachlan Suffield, Jye Laxton, Harvey Cook & Tom Ford - 16 Boys 4x100m Relay Huge thank you to Newmo for taking them down for a massive day and night - leaving 9:00am and returning 11:00pm. .

JUNIOR TENNIS UPPER HUME

It was another great day of Interschool Sport on Friday 20th October, as 20 of our Year 7 and 8 students represented us in the Upper Hume Tennis carnival at the Merriwa Park Lawn Tennis Club.

Led by Number 1 Seed Milly O'Kane, our Year 8 Girls were the best of our 4 teams, finishing 3rd after defeating Cathedral College and drawing level with Victory Lutheran College Wodonga.

Thanks to Vice Principal Sheri Parkhouse for taking the squad, and to the kids who she said were outstanding across the day.

Junior Tennis Squad. 2023 FROM LEFT: Lillian Hooper, Isabelle Christison, Milly O’Kane, Casey Sheppard, Emily Swinburne, Jedda Driscoll, Liv Day, Ruby O’Kane, Ruby Burns, Kaity Ford, Inanay Gilson, Taylah Wyatt, Max Marek, Sam Moray, Jim Shepperd, Mike Sheppard, Clarence Lampa, Jeremy Bagley, James Chisholm.

HUME TABLE TENNIS HUME REGION

Well done to our Year 7 Boys Table Tennis squadron, who competed last Friday in the Hume Region tournament, the final stage before State Finals, at the Wangaratta Showgrounds Table Tennis Shed.

Led by #1 seed Hugh Spring and #2 Clarence Lampa, our 6-strong team battled hard but it was Sacred Heart Yarrawonga who were the champions, with Cobram Anglican Grammar School 2nd.

The Team: Hugh Spring Clarence Lampa Lars Croft Thoma Fieldew Gus Hedderman Noah Williams Thanks to the boys for being willing to challenge themselves at the next level, and to Leah Anderson for coaching them on the day.

Year 7 Boys Table Tennis - Hume Region ‘23 FROM LEFT: Lars Croft, Noah Williams, Isaac Robinson, Gus Hedderman, Hugh Spring, Clarence Lampa..

CYCLING CHAMPION

Reuben Smith Wins 86th Melbourne Cup On Wheels Year 11 cyclist Reuben Smith has triumphed in one of the greatest sporting feats in the history of Wangaratta High School, taking out the 86th Melbourne Cup on Wheels cycling event in Melbourne last Saturday November 4th.

At the DISC Velodrome at the Darebin International Sports Centre, Reuben on the 6th and final lap powered from approximately 20m back, powering past the leader on the final bend to win the prestigious sprint race in a time of 1:33.91. He took home a $750 prize, but more importantly joining a mighty list of past-winners which including some of the immortals of Australian cycling, such as legends Sid Patterson and Dean Woods.

Reuben becomes the first Wangaratta boy to win the race since the late Woods, probably Wangaratta’s greatest sporting legend of all time, who won a Gold Medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games as an 18-year old prodigy in the Team Pursuit.

Reuben’s win, but also his commitment to cycling over many years, should be an inspiration to all of us. Ever since entering W.H.S at Year 7, he was committed to his fitness, and since finding Cycling, he’s been competing in Melbourne regularly. If you ever happen to find yourself down at the Wangaratta Showgrounds Velodrome after school hours, you may see him doing laps, and it’s quite shocking to see in person how fast he rides, and for how long he can maintain it.

To win a race like this, and power home so strongly, is a great example to all of us of what can come from hard work. Well done Reuben, we’re all proud of you and we wish you the best in your Cycling career.

By Jud Mullins

FOOTBALL REP SQUADS V/Line Cup and Murray Bushrangers

Year 9s Kade Hadley and Gus Jayet have both been selected in the Murray Bushrangers Under 16 Football Pre-Season Squad of 44.

Both boys also played for the North East Border Under 15 Football teams and in September played in the V-Line Cup, the premier Under 15 football carnival in Victoria. A great story, considering the boys are best mates having gone through Wang West PS together.

The boys join the list of W.H.S boys to have played V-Line Cup in recent years including Tom Ford (2022), Hunter Gottschling (2018), Daniel & Luke Saunders (2015), Ben Bray (2015), Daniel Sharrock (2013 and Alex Marklew (2011).

Lucy Kiely of Year 10 was selected in the Under 18 Murray Bushrangers Girls Football Pre-Season Squad of 60. This is a tremendous effort for someone who is still in the Under 15 age group, which means she has 3 more years of Under 18 football. Lucy was also part of the prestigious North East Border Girls V-Line Cup team this year.

We wish Lucy the best making the final Under 18 squad over summer. Can she follow in the footsteps of ex-Wangaratta High School student Darcy Vescio, who was drafted to Carlton and became one of the most talented footballers the AFLW Women's league has ever seen?

BASKETBALL REPS Oskar McGahan & Kaity Ford Play VJBL

Congratulations to Year 7 boy Oskar McGahan who has just been selected in the elite North East Bushrangers Basketball Under 16 program. Oskar and his Bushies "Gold" team will play in the statewide Victorian Junior Basketball League, a State League competition running on Friday nights all around Victoria. This puts Oskar in the best 20 basketballers for his age group in the region, and will make him the first W.H.S student to play in the VJBL since current Year 7 girl Kaity Ford, who was part of the Under 14 Girls Bushrangers team last season.

We also highlight Jack Ford, Tom Ford, Kallam Pensak and Lachlan Barbour, who along with Oskar and sister Kaity have been part of the Wangaratta Warriors Representative Basketball teams this year, playing in tournaments all across Victoria.

Great to see our kids playing at such a high level in this great sport. We have a large number playing Basketball every break time on our 2 school outdoor Basketball courts, and we hope to see more getting involved in competition Basketball next year and beyond.

NETBALL STARS Milly O’Kane’s Big Year

Milly O’Kane (Year 8) and Matilda Taylor (Year 9) have been picked in the Netball Victoria Talent Academy for the North East Border Region. They are 2 of only 3 Wangaratta girls picked in the squad, which covers an area encompassing Wangaratta, Albury/Wodonga, Corowa, Yarrawonga and Shepparton.

For Milly, it caps off a massive year of Netball, after she won both the League Best & Fairest and the League MVP Trophy, in the Ovens & King Netball League Under 15s, and was part of the North East Region squad of 14 which played in the Victoria State Titles.

On top of this, Milly also won our Athletics Age Group Champion award, was 2nd in the Upper Hume Age Group Championship, and won a Hazel June Woodward Sports Award for being a key player in the following Sports: Cricket, Netball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton, Swimming and Athletics. It will be exciting to see what she achieves in 2024.

BOXER WINS DEBUT FIGHT Year 9 Luke Macklan Wins in Melbourne

The school community congratulates Year 9 boy Luke Macklan, who last weekend had his first ever Amateur Boxing fight and won.

After a previous fight had to be rescheduled due to not being able to find suitable opponents, Luke kept training and finally got his chance, fighting at the famous Melbourne Pavilion on Sunday night, October 8th.

Luke was pitted against an opponent of a similar age and weight, however it was revealed his opponent had already had 5 previous fights, and had been a Victorian State Champion, making it a mismatch in terms of experience.

However according to Luke’s trainer, Greg Foster from the Ultimate Fighting Academy where Luke has been learning boxing since he was 10 years old, Luke “dominated” the fight in a brilliant display.

He was so close to knocking his opponent out that the referee almost stopped the fight on a couple of occasions. One of those was after a body shot that drew an 8-second count, before a series of Straight Rights to the face got his opponent leaking, with the ref lifting Luke’s arm as the winner after two 90 second rounds.

We applaud Luke’s outstanding achievement and the courage and skill he displayed in doing so.

Furthermore, Luke’s commitment to training in a Sport he has found a passion for, and his overall focus on fitness and health, are things all of your young boys, and girls as well, should be inspired by.

Well done Champ.

MOTORSPORT STAR Reece Batten’s Racing Achievements

We have another student exelling in a unique sport. Year 10 Reece Batten has been racing motorbikes since he was 7 years old. in 2023, he competed at the highest level in the Penrite Pro Mx over three rounds, finishing 3rd outright in the 125cc Class, and 4th in the 250cc class for Northern Region Series.

Other achievements for Reece motorbike in recent years include:

on

the

2021.

Top 10 in the South Australia Titles (despite missing 1 round 2nd place in the 2-day Paddy Fundraiser

2018.

Yamaha YZ65 Cup at Appin NSW - One of 30 kids picked Australia-wide.

World Supercross at Marvel Stadium - One of 20 picked Australia-wide.

2nd in the Australian Arena Cross Series in the 85cc Class.

3rd in the Victorian State Titles.

2nd in the Gippy Series 2nd outright in 85cc Class - Northern Region Series.

Great stuff Reece.

SPORTSPERSON OF YEAR Merlin Tzaros Wins Prestigous Award

Congratulations to our champion young athlete Merlin Tzaros of Year 9, who is our 2023 Sportsperson of the Year, as announced at our End Of Year Presentation Night on Wednesday December 13th.

To illustrate the gravity of Merlin's achievements this year, here are a list of what he has done in 2023 alone:

Triathlon.

Triathlon Victoria 2022-2023 State/National Pathway Network Team Member School Sport Victoria (SSV) State Team Member and Qualified for Nationals Triathlon Victoria State Series - 1st Australian Grand Prix Triathlon Championship - 1st AGPT (National) - 3rd Victorian 2XU Sprint Series - 3rd Victorian 2XU FunTri Series - 3rd Echuca-Moama Triathlon - 1st in 18 and under age group Bendigo Summer Series - 1st in 15-19 Barwon Heads Triathlon - 2nd in 15-19 Victorian Aquathon Championships - 1st in 15-19, 2nd overall

Running.

Hume City to City 7.5km - 2nd overall, record, 1st 15&U Wangaratta Fun Run - 5km- 2nd overall, 1st Youth Upper Hume 3000m - 1st Upper Hume 1500m - 1st & new all-time record Hume Region 1500m - 2nd Qualified for Cross Country Nationals

Swimming.

Hume Region 50m Breastroke - 3rd Age Group Champion @ W.H.S

Note also that Merlin missed a number of key events (such as Upper Hume and State Cross Country, as well as the Hume Region and State Track & Field Championships) due to illness, injury and being on holidays. So the above list would have been even longer.

Merlin you are inspiration to our school community. Not only are you a committed and talented athlete, but you are one of the most outstanding young people overall that we have seen at our school.

By Jud Mullins

SPORTSPERSON OF YEAR Merlin Tzaros Wins Prestigous Award

ALL-TIME FOOTBALL TEAM Progress So Far

Next year we plan to announce an All-Time Wangaratta High Schol Football Team.

Research so far has unearthed 19 boys that have played AFL, 6 more that were drafted but didn’t play a Senior match, and 4 others who played Reserves.

We can so far only find 3 boys between the years of 1909 and 1961, so we continue to try to find more from those eras.

Once we exhaust all avenues, I’ll put the boys into a positional line-up, and release the team.

Rough plans of doing a Podcast, interviewing each of the players (one episode per player) is also in the pipeline. Stay tuned.

Every student that participated in our Sport teams.

Every student that tried out for teams.

Every student that came along as helpers.

The families who supported your kids, and sometimes transported them.

The many staff who trained, coached and transported the kids.

The Bus Drivers.

Newmo who was Sport coordinator in Term 1 before going on Long Service Leave, and still helped at some events while on Leave.

Admin staff especially Leah Anderson who for every single trip: approved the documentation, prepared First Aid equipment, chased up parent approvals and even sometimes booked buses.