WA'S BEST LIGHT UP AUSTRALIAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS

WA’s best cross-country runners have returned from the 2023 Australian Cross Country Championships with two new national champions and a six medal haul. Lead by 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships representative Charlie-Rose Carlyon, WA produced a strong showing in warm and sunny conditions at Stromlo Forrest.

The state’s depth in para-athletics continues to develop with T01 athletes William Liitiaeinen (Albany Athletics Club, Mick Francis) and Josh Reeve (Perth Track & Field, Suzi Graves) both medalling in the Men’s 3km Under 20 Para event. Building off their State Championships showdown, Liitiaeinen and Reeve were pushed in the field of 14 to fight for the top of the podium once again. Liitiaeinen was able to master the hilly course and crossed the line in 10:01.0 to just miss line honours to the NSW athlete, while Reeve finished in 10:14.0. However, following the baseline measurements, Liitiaeinen was the one to take out the title and claim gold with 38.10%, only 0.05% ahead of NSW’s Aaron Houston. Josh Reeve rounded out the medals with 37.30% collecting him the bronze medal.

“It feels amazing to be Australian Champion for 2023.” Liitiaeinen said.

“I came to the race aiming for a top three finish so to get first on podium just feels super satisfying and is really good to see all the hard work and early mornings starting to pay off.”

“This result is my best result I have ever achieved compared to other races and events I’ve done, and it was awesome racing in the Team WA uniform.”

While in the Women’s U20 title race, Charli-Rose Carlyon (Perth Track & Field, Suzi Graves) pulled together an incredibly strong run to claim bronze in the 6km race. Having made her Australian team debut earlier in the year at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championship in Bathurst, where she placed 39^th in the World, Carlyon was out to finish off an impressive 2023 winter season. Lining up against a field of 80, Carlyon was able to hold off the challengers and step on to the podium to collect bronze in a time of 22:05.

“Being my first national cross-country podium finish it felt like a great achievement to cross that line especially with the WA team cheering me on every lap.” Carlyon said.

“It’s always an honour to run in the black and gold and spend a trip away with the team.”

WA returned to the top of the podium with an impressive run and flash home by Xander Scholes to secure the Boys 11-Year-Old School Sport Australia title. An impressive field of 39 took on the 3km race at Stromlo for the title, but it was in the final stages where the young Joondalup runner made his name. Crossing just two-seconds ahead of the NSW’s Billy Herb, Scholes flashed home to back up his golden State Championships performance with another title clenching performance in 10:11.

WA were able to pick up an additional three team medals at the Australian Cross Country Championships. In the Girls 10-Year-Old School Sport Australia race WA’s Amelia Barnes, Ella Masiello, Milan Aloi, Kamika Pitout, Skyla Boshoff and Sophia Brown won silver medal, well ahead of Queensland.

While in the Boys 10-Year-Old School Sport Australia 2000m race Dominic Moore, Kyan Pescod, Atticus Gallen, Alfie Gray, Patrick King, and Zachary McNally collected bronze after all athletes placed within the top 30.

Finally, WA’s Girls 11-Year-Old School Sport WA team were able to wrap up bronze for the state with Billie McHenry, Fieke Potter, Harmony Narrier, Scarlett Nunn, Billie Richardson, and Rosie Connolly battling it out over the 3km course to clinch the medal by 2 points.

To find complete results from the 2023 Australian Cross Country Championships, CLICK HERE. 

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By David Smith, Athletics West

Posted on 28 August 2023