The Cowichan Valley Cross Country Series, a four-race event open to all secondary schools in the valley, recently wrapped up for the season.
The event, which takes place in September and October each year, features races at Glenora and Bright Angel Country Parks, Shawnigan Lake School and Cobble Hill.
According to Mark Swannell, a teacher and cross-country running coach at Shawnigan Lake School, this year’s event also featured students from Ucluelet, Nanaimo and Gulf Islands.
“The series is a friendly and inclusive sporting event, with the top-eight runners in each race receiving a ribbon, t-shirts for those who took part in all four races, and qualification to the Island Championships for the top performing athletes,” Swannell explained.
Some of the highlights include, in the junior girls event, Alexa Dow’s (Kelsey) victories at Glenora and Shawnigan, with Saku Ishimoto (Shawnigan) claiming a second and first place at Glenora and Bright Angel respectively.
In the Grade 8 girls event, St. John’s most consistent performer, Olivia Colaco, finished first, second, fourth and second, whilst Evelyn Wilke’s (Shawnigan) victory on home turf ensured her qualification for the Islands.
Brentwood’s Neve Martin took top spot in the senior girls event at Glenora and Shawnigan, finishing ahead of Shawnigan’s most consistent runner, Miranda Fairley, in both races.
As for the boys’ side, standout performances came from Carter Zuback (Queen Margaret’s School), who finished first at Bright Angel and Cobble Hill. Kelsey’s Cody Henry (Grade 8), Miles Powell and Ivan Domenici (both senior boys) all had an excellent series as well.
The Island Championships were held on Wednesday, Oct. 19 with Team Cowichan taking over 50 athletes to Port Alberni. Results were unavailable by press time.
Swannell said there was one more highlight of the Cowichan Valley Cross Country Series over the years and that’s been the leadership of the outgoing series president.
“A huge thank you to James Cutt (Cowichan Secondary coach), who steps down as our long-serving president of the race series,” Swannell said.