EVENT RECAP | 2022 AUSTRALIAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

WA Cross Country runners put up their best foot forward at the 82^nd instalment of the Australian Cross Country Championship, held at Oakbank, returning from a two-year hiatus. Despite the muddy terrain, the West Aussies showed a lot of grit and return home with four medals and solid overall team performance.

Joondalup Track Club WA member Matthew Dodds returns to Perth with two medals, including a National title. Dodds claimed gold in the Under 16 Men’s 4km event with a time of 13:34 in spectacular fashion. Coming back from outside the medals in the first lap, the Australian Champion claims preparations and strategy as his secret weapon.

“Walking the course was great and it helped me prepare for my race strategy, though I knew my white dragon flys would not be the same”, Dodds said.

“I started off slowly as I knew the second lap would be very tough and worked my way from tenth to getting gold.”

West Aussie's Josh Reeve had also won Gold at the Oakbound racecourse, showing a lot of heart in the Men's 3km Para under 17 with a fantastic time of 11:20.

Ethan Wyatt-Smith led the charge for WA in the older age groups with an impressive run in the Under 20 Men’s 8km race. Dealing with tough terrains and an elite field, Wyatt-Smith did not disappoint and was in close contention for the National title. Crossing the line in 26:21, only 4 seconds shy from first place,  Wyatt-Smith claimed silver.

“When I heard the course was 2km around a racecourse I was not expecting it to be one of the toughest cross-country courses I’ve ever run,” Wyatt-Smith said.

“Combined with an elite field of Under 20 runners it proved not only to be physically but mentally challenging. Overall, I had a great experience, coming away with second was more than I hoped for and kudos to everyone who competed”.

Fellow UWA runner Reese Prior also brought home new silverware with the Para Athlete winning bronze in the Under 17 Para Women’s 3km. Despite a tough track, Prior finished in a time of 16:25.

“The course was tough, that hill and the mud, but it was fun. It was so good to be racing at a National competition and getting to see all my para friends again. Obviously very happy to walk away with a bronze medal too”. Prior said.

The Championships were wrapped up with the team medals with Western Australia collecting bronze in the Under 16 Men’s group. Edging out Victoria by four points, the combined team of Athletics West and School Sport WA runners finished with 45 points. The Under 16 team was comprised of Matthew Dodds, Tony Thomas (SSWA), Jamie Deane (SSWA), Luke Thompson (SSWA), Jonah Hanikeri (SSWA) and Byron Martin.

The Australian Cross Country Championships Team results reflected the growing depth in WA’s middle distance and cross country ranks with the WA’s Boys 10, Girls 10, Boys 11, Girls 11, Boys 12, Under 14 Men’s, Under 14 Women’s, Under 18 Men’s, Under 18 Women’s and Under 20 Men’s teams all placing fourth.

Congratulations to all the Athletics West and School Sports WA athletes, coaches, parents and officials who took part in the 2022 Australia Cross Country Championships.

Complete results from the Championships can be found HERE.

For more information and to follow all the upcoming athletics action head to Athletics West’s Facebook & Instagram pages.

For any queries, please contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or 08 6272 0480

By Paolo Dailo