Steps to Success

It was the team’s breakthrough performance at the 2019 competition that first captured attention, earning Wenona the Most Improved School trophy and fourth place overall (with a score only two points away from third). As a result, the buzz around Cross Country within the School began to build, and participation grew to 30 students from Years 7 to 12, regularly attending early morning training every Tuesday and Friday.

Unsurprisingly, the competition was cancelled due to COVID in 2020 but the team maintained its enthusiasm and by 2021 was performing at an even higher standard, achieving third place overall. Twelve girls were selected for the IGSA representative team to race at the NSWCIS Championships and five gained selection to compete at the NSW All Schools.

“2022 brought more frustration, with wet weather causing the cancellation of the Wenona House Cross Country Carnival, COVID cases impacting the team and a substantial number of training sessions affected by the Sydney deluge,” says Ms Osborne. “But the students and their coaches kept their minds on the goal – to cement our place in the IGSA top three!”

This year, the team not only came third but coincidentally, scored the same points as in 2021. The 14-Years team took out gold, the 12-Years team came fourth, and all other teams placed in the top nine out of 28 schools. Ten girls went on to compete at the NSWCIS Championships and three qualified to represent NSWCIS at the NSW All Schools.”

“Today we have 50 girls in the squad who train tirelessly throughout the year and the ability to field a full contingent of runners with at least three runners in each age group, has been a big part of our success. The camaraderie, commitment, and consistency of the squad has played a role as well,” Ms Osbourne says.

“Cross Country running can be quite a lonely, individual pursuit but every individual performance is extremely significant. The students have come to understand the importance of teamwork and have grown into a really tight-knit group of girls across Years 7 to 12. They spend so much time together that they have developed a special bond. The support and encouragement and the respect they have for each other is incredibly inspiring to witness.”

“It is near impossible to explain how rewarding and enjoyable it is to coach, manage, support, motivate, encourage and just be in the company of this incredible group of aspiring young athletes over the last four years,” Ms Osborne says. “I am certain there is more to be achieved!”