Cross country winner puts the green and white first
Old boy Ollie Hoare inspires Trinity distance runners
Trinity distance runners, urged on by champion old boy Ollie Hoare, registered an individual first and third as well as two team placings in the Schools Challenge section of the World Cross Country championships at Mt Panorama, Bathurst.
Jack Waide (12Ke) won the under-20 event, staged on a gruelling course in 36 degree heat.
He was locked in battle with the eventual under-18 winner for much of the race, and finally prevailed in a time that could have gained him entry to the main under-20 race at the championships proper.
“In typical Waide fashion, he was not disappointed, as from the moment the event was announced, he wanted to wear the Trinity green on the mountain,” said Director of Athletics Matt Wade.
Kobe Stewart (9Yo) was particularly impressive as the youngest participant in the under-20 division, beating many well-credentialed runners through the vineyards and over the undulating terrain to finish third overall.
Along with Michael King (12Ta) and Joseph Cantlon (12Du), they finished first in the teams event.
The under-16 team of Angus Royal (10Ar), Sam Oliver (8St), Daniel Simpson (8Du) and Patrick McMahon (7Du) placed second, a mighty achievement considering three of them were still eligible for the under-14 division.
“While it is easy to assume that the highlight for our boys was their first and second place finishes in the teams events, this just isn’t the case,” said Mr Wade.
“The highlight was the time they were able to spend with Ollie Hoare, with him making a beeline for them on multiple occasions to chat, take photos and sign autographs.
“He provided considerable inspiration, and a few of our boys took home Hoare mementos including his signed race bib.”
Hoare, the class of 2015 star and reigning Commonwealth Games 1500m champion, helped Australia to a bronze medal in the world teams mixed relay behind Kenya and Ethiopia.
Hoare ran the first leg for Australia, finishing third behind South Africa’s Ryan Mphahlele and Kenya’s 2021 world under-20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
