On Wednesday the 9th of May we had two teams in the annual schools Cross Country Relay Championships. With the welcome return of Jean Kozyniak coming back from foot surgery, and in her first year as a senior girl we had to enter our best team in the senior grade. Josie Kozyniak and Laureen Duggan (still in the intermediate age group) were having their first race in a long time as they had both been doing a lot of swimming lately and our fourth runner was a promising year 9, Alex Langley. Sophie Burns, Ngiste and Birtukan made up a year 9 team but could only run the first 3 legs, nonetheless enjoyed the experience. So on a rainy afternoon, with a scratch team with three girls running in a higher grade and lots of questions to be answered. Had Jean recovered? how was Josie’s and Laureen’s running fitness? finally, could Alex handle the pressure?

The girls answered in the affirmative. Josie ran the first leg and carried the team into fourth place (fifth fastest time in senior girls that day). Laureen ran strongly to bring us up to third (tenth fastest time in seniors). Alex held the teams position (27th fastest time in senior’s and still a year 9) and Jean ran superbly (second fastest time) to scorch past St Mary’s and Wanganui Collegiate to give us a win by 30 seconds.

Congratulations girls a really gutsy effort and a Wellington title!