Junior Leaguers race all comers at Westleigh

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 August 2012 14:19

Garingal Orienteers hosted Junior League race #8 along with its Come and Try It event at Westleigh.  It was an unprepossessing map on first sight, with urban streets teamed with a steep gully system which limited bush control options, but organiser Melissa Joseph and her team skilfully crafted the courses to bring out the best and produce a set of runs which were challenging and enjoyable.

Sophie Jones (UR) and Ewan Shingler (BF) led off the Easy courses and maintained what is proving to be formidable form across these races. Joanna Hill (GO) won her Easy course 2 minutes ahead of rival Rachel Osbourne (BF), and is clearly benefiting from her recent attempts at Orange at MetroLeague running for her club Garingal.  Terence Chiang (UR) won the boys Easy course, the latest great result in a 2012 series which has seen him improve enormously since event #1.

State Junior Squad athlete Georgia Jones (UR)won convincingly in Short Moderate, taking a few of the more experienced adult scalps on the way, and Lewis Redner (GO) brought home the Short Moderate for the boys.

In the Hard courses the competition in the Junior League boys division is close.  Whilst Matthew Hill (who did not run on Sunday) is dominating the leader board, there are plenty fighting for the other podium places.  Younger brother Daniel Hill (GO), always reliably swift, this time lost to Adam Halmy (BN) whose skills as a State competition level cross country runner were on show to win three minutes ahead of Daniel.

And amongst the non-Junior Leaguers?  Salme Fuller (IKN) had a great race in Short Moderate to come second in 42:33.  Glen Horrocks (GO) and Andy Hill (WH) held off the junior challengers to take 1st and 2nd places respectively in the Long Moderate. 

The penultimate Junior League of the season, race #9, will take place on September 23 at Chatswood West.