Almost 100 students enjoyed a stunning day at St Ives Showground for the third annual Sydney North schools championships today.
Barbara Hill set courses that took the older high school students at times into the 'white' patches looking for rockfaces and boulders, while the younger charges were kept busy in a smaller loop around the showground's ovals, myriad picnic tables, small buildings and minor bush tracks.
A big contingent of 50 from Riverside Girls High was back for their second outing and the girls who ran last year showed the benefit of their experience to take out the champion high school teams award.
Champion primary team again was St Ives North PS.
It was great to see new schools in Berkeley Vale HS on the Central Coast and Galston High, who apparently have a very handy chunk of bush right next to their school.
We should make mention of Garingal juniors Joanna Hill (12) and Clare Jessup (13) who stepped up a class to take on the short moderate courses and finished 1-2, ahead of all the 14-15-year-old girls.
Thanks to all the volunteers for putting out and bringing in controls, coaching, marshalling etc. Special thanks go to Barbara for all her preparations, and to Athletes Foot sponsor John Rae for his continued support via prizes for the students. John even had a run in the teams relay.
Today was the last of our regional champs before the NSW schools championships at Mittagong on Sunday August 25. The NSW titles are open to all students, and novices can enter in the B class of their age group to do an easier course than the more experienced juniors. Entry forms and details can be found here.
