Awards will be posted soon....

Yarra Valley 1/08/2009

The final race of the year and no one could say we didn't try our hardest. I was great to see so many runners sprinting for the finish line and giving it their all. The team spirit and support was fantastic, especially in the seniors where the front runners all finished within a minute of each other. Thank you to all for a fantastic season. You have improved tremendously.

Premiership Ladder:
1. Marcellin 63points
2.Trinity 54 points
3. Peninsula 41.5 points
4. Camberwell 40 points
5. Ivanhoe 39 points
6. Mentone 31.5 points
7. Yarra Valley 24.5 points
8. PEGS 15 points
9. Assumption 6 points

So as you can see it was a tight races between 3rd and 5th. I look forward to training with you all again next year and believe that the squad has the ability to be even stronger than this year. Signing out for 2009.... Enjoy the pizza!

Brimbank Park 25/07/09

The Camberwell Cross Country team achieved its best results this season, with many surprising individual results. The Juniors moved to 5^th, brought home by Cameron Doig. A debut run by Jarrad Lindsay-King put the Intermediates in 2^rd, Doug Brown, Justin Verrochi, Hanson Wong and Sam Cooke all finished in the top 20 to aid this result. The results in the Seniors were unpredictable, and it was fantastic to see Tim Shue putting in his all for his penultimate race for Camberwell. He finished 1^st for our squad and 18^th overall. Jules Lim, Ash Ghosh, Tom Bath and Jonathon Chandler placed us fifth in this division. Coaches mention to James Johnstone who has managed to move up over 10 places this season, finishing 36^th in this round. We are now securely places 4^th on the Premiership ladder, only one point behind Peninsular. We are hoping a solid performance this week may enable us to finish the season in 3^rd. The team is running at Yarra Valley so if anyone is interested in coming along and supporting the team, please see Ms. Crowden.

CGS XC Yogies...

Bundoora Park AV - 18/07/09

The final Athletics Victoria Cross Country competition was held this weekend at Bundoora Park and 11 CGS boys competed in the cold and windy event. Best placing was by Hanson Wong who can 27th in the under 16’s 4km event. He was closely followed by Sam Cooke who put in a strong performance, despite illness. A special mention to Cameron Doig and Joel Lok who also competed. Peter Hinkins was challenged in the Under 17’s event, the 6km’s being his longest race so far, however, he put in a strong effort. Doug Brown led CGS in this event with a fantastic time of 23.51 minutes. Jonathon Chandler, Cameron Wynn and James Shaw finished strongly together as a team. Coaches mention to Ashutosh Ghosh and James Johnstone who ran 8km in the Under 20’s. They were spurred on by a sizable cheer squad and wrapped up our participation in the AV competition this year.

The Tan 20/06/09

A successful meet at the Tan this week which saw the Intermediates move up to 2nd in their division. Hanson Wong, Doug Brown, Sam Cooke, Kaighin Johnson and Jan Uwland made up the top 5, coming 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th and 17th respectively. The Juniors remained at 7th due to notable absences and the Seniors moved up one place to 4th. A special mention to Jonathon Chandler who came 28th in the Seniors and 3rd for Camberwell. This is a huge improvement on his previous places and we look forward to seeing him maintain this performance after the holiday break.

Yarra Bend 30/05/09

What a fantastic result for Camberwell’s host meet at Cross Country this week. Nearly all runner competed and we showed the competition that the power of the CGS Cross Country squad lies not it is speed but its size and ability to work as a team. In saying that, many students ran extremely well. Again, the intermediates dominated, moving to 3rd place in their division, the top 5 runner coming in under 21st place. A great improvement by the seniors who moved to 4th, Ashutosh Ghosh regaining his form of last season to come 23rd. Jules Lim is still leading the seniors and doing a great job as captain, motivating the team each week to do their best. The juniors also jumped up the ladder, matching the seniors in 4th an excellent run by Cameron Doig facilitating this. Overall we have moved to 3rd place – a tremendous improvement!

Ballam Park 23/05/09

The Camberwell Grammar Cross Country team moved from 6th position to equal 4th this week, thanks to an excellent effort by the intermediate squad. Our top 5 runners in this division, Hansen Wong, Doug Brown, Samuel Cooke, Jan Uwland and Thomas Li, all came in the top 30 runners. Overall, the intermediates are placed 3rd. In the Seniors, Niall Ross was the standout. He has risen nearly 10 places since the start of the season, reward for his hard efforts at training. However, the Seniors dropped to 5th overall. The juniors fought hard and came 8th. We are hosting this week’s competition at Yarra Bend Park. Spectators are encouraged to come along and support the team.

AV Adidas Challenge 16/5/09

Did you all get your showbags and your feet checked?

The weather at Jells Park on Saturday was beautiful and it was a surpirse to have Mr Hutton come down and support the team. The course was hillier than previous tracks but our endurance training saw improvement in times all round. Thank you to Doug Brown for running twice and congratualtions to Hanson Wong for running two age groups up and still managing to achieve the fastest time for the whole squad. No medals were achieved but those that ran should be proud with their individual achievements.

Thanks to Jules and Tom for taking all the photos. They will be up as soon as I figure out how to do it. We might avoid using Tom expertise in the future however, as he seems to fancy himself a bit of a model!

Mordialloc Park - 09 May 2009

A depleted squad this week, but those that did run showed improvement in times. A breakdown of your minutes per kilometer can now be seen on the website and I will update this weekly to help you track your progress and improvement throughout the season.
Thank you to all those that ran through tiredness and sickness. One of our greatest strengths is our size and we felt the absence in the intermediates of key athletes , such as Hanson, but also the consistent runners who manages to push other schools numbers down.
Look after your bodies boys. Eat well, drink lots of fluids and get plenty of sleep. We all start to feel around this time of year. Shorter, colder days. Running can be a great study break and an awesome way to invigorate the mind. Like you track your homework in your diary, you should also be noting your training.

Results:
Juniors 8th
Intermediates 3rd
Seniors 4th

Premiership Ladder:
1. Marcellin
2. Trinity
3. Peninsula
4. Ivanhoe
5. Mentone
6. Camberwell
7. Yarra Valley
8. PEGS
9. Assumption

Great training last week to everyone. Full schedule is now on. I look forward to seeing everyone at training twice a week, or more, if you feel like the challenge!
ELC

Bulleen Park - 02 May 2009

There couldn’t have been more perfect weather to start the Cross Country season: mild, sunny and dry (in comparison to last year’s torrential rain). The race was short, but it was a good introductory run for all the new member of the team. Was it what you expected?

I wanted to mention and congratulate Alex Maklary on coming first for Camberwell in the Senior Division and 18th overall. A great effort for his first meet, and if his injury doesn’t inhibit him, we are expecting big things. The other new year 11’s did really well also and we are very lucky to have picked up such a strong group of runners. Hanson has now moved up to the Intermediates and impressed us all by beating the year 10’s, proving his skill as a runner . David Thorn, now is year 8, lead the Juniors home.

The Premiership Ladder is as follows:
1. Marcellin
2. Trinity
3. Ivanhoe
4. Peninsula
5. Camberwell
6. Mentone
7. Yarra Valley
8. PEGS
9. Assumption

Individual division rankings can be viewed on the results page.

I think the key now is to push out our endurance training. If you are to improve your times every week then it is necessary to increase your speed over longer distances. Everyone should be attempting at least one 8-10km run each week. I will try to organize our Tuesday runs around this, so if you can’t train with the team you need to make the time up another day.

On that note - No training this Tuesday due to the Triangulars.

ELC

2009 Welcome

FROM THE HEAD COACH
Welcome to Camberwell Grammar School Cross Country Team, 2009.
This is my first year as Cross Country co-ordinator and I am looking forward to an equally, if not more successful year than 2008. It was great to see the improvement made by all runners throughout the season. Our success was due mainly to dedicated training, motivation and enthusiasm. We are a TEAM in every sense of the word. All members train together, encouraging each other, however we still maintain a healthy amount of individual competitiveness which enables individuals to constantly improve.
For those new to Cross Country, thank you for joining the team. I am lead to believe that this is the biggest Cross Country team Camberwell has ever had, which is fantastic. I am excited that so many boys are drawn to the sport as a means of maintain a high level of fitness through rigorous, but fun, training sessions. Our current year 12’s are a great example of this with a record 17 competitors. Through years of persistence they have become some of our strongest runners and we are expecting big things from the seniors this year. Running can often provide a great outlet for the stress and strain of everyday school life and competition makes it even more rewarding.
It is important that you monitor your own training and listen to your body. Injuries are inevitable, but with appropriate management they are not debilitating. Your nutrition also plays a major role in your performance and on the website you will find guides to what you should be eating. Make sure this includes plenty of carbohydrates on training days and that you are constantly drinking enough water.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank all the coaches, both teachers and external, who contribute to the effectiveness of our Cross Country team. With such a large team it would be easy to let runners slip between the cracks, however, our devoted leaders never let this happen.
What I ask of you, as a sportsman and member of the Camberwell Grammar Cross Country team, is to set yourself an individual goal for the 2009 season. Your captain Julian has already sets his sights on the top 10. Where do you see yourself?
Good luck! ELC

FROM THE CAPTAIN
Welcome to what promises to be another successful, enjoyable Cross Country season. Training has been underway for almost two weeks and it is encouraging to see so many runners participating in training sessions. With one of the largest sport teams in the school, the upcoming season promises to be exciting, and very promising from the early signs.
Last year Camberwell finished a credible 5th position and hopefully will be pushing towards greater feats this year. We have some great junior talent developing which will be exciting to watch as they progress throughout the season. The intermediate division promises to be another good season with unprecedented strength over the Year 9 and 10s division. To the Senior runners: the twilight moments of School Sport are quickly drawing upon us. Do not let what may be the last chance to represent the school crawl by, let’s make these memories truly memorable.
This season, I challenge all runners to take their game to the next level. That may mean pushing yourselves at training to the maximum, preparing yourself appropriately for race day or even just encouraging your team-mates to reach that finish line. If we can all adopt this persona, then the results that we desire will come. Remember, we are a TEAM. By working together and providing friendly competition and encouragement, we can achieve what we want.
I would like to thank Miss Crowden and the teachers for this tremendous opportunity to lead this great Cross Country Squad. And while I may be the appointed “captain”, I would like to point out that the other 16 year 12’s are all very capable and will no doubt be willing to give some advice and leadership to anyone who may be unsure on anything.
With such great unity and competitiveness within the squad this year, the true “Weller’s Spirit” is being embraced by all. We look forward with great anticipation to the first race of the season at Bulleen. Good luck to all competitors in Round 1! I’ll see you all on the track!
Julian Lim

2008 Final Standings

AGSV Round 7 - Yarra Valley

Results have been updated. Report to follow

Junior: 4th, Intermediate: 7th, Senior: 4th

Overall Results:

1. Marcellin 26
2. Trinity 22
3. Yarra Valley 17
4. PEGS 16
5. Ivanhoe 16
6. Camberwell 15
7. Peninsula 11
8. Mentone 9
9. Assumption 2

All School State Championships

Despite a freezing wind which cut through all but the sturdiest polar fleece, the State Championships were held in suprisingly friendly conditions at Bundoora Park on Sat 26th July. 11 CGS runners elected to run in a series of highly competitive events, with results as follows:
U14 David Liu 125th
U15 Hanson Wong 22nd, Sam Cooke 31st
U16 Tom Li 73rd
U17 Doug Brown 50th
U18 Julian Lim 50th, Daimon Ewart 58th, Ben Collins 63rd, Ashutosh 61st, Phil Tai 71st
U20 Dustin Biernacki 39th
Special mention must go to Doug Brown, whose result in the combined U17/18 race was the fastest of all CGS runners and comes as just reward for some excellent training over the past few weeks in particular.

AGSV Round 6 @ Mentone

Round 6 of the AGSV season was hosted by Mentone at the Mordialloc Creek Wetlands. Refreshed after a 2 week break, many CGS athletes returned to racing with fresh legs and free of the niggling injuries which were sustained during a long term 2.
Several athletes took a likening to the fast, flat course and posted season best times and places.
Notable runs came from:
Junior: Hanson Wong 4th, Justin V 7th (best and fastest result of season), Tom Li (first time under 4:00 min/km), Ben Craine (fastest time)
Intermediate: James Majer (fast time), Ryan Lee (season best time), Wayne Cheung (6th straight improved time)
Senior: James Johnstone (best and fastest result of the season), Dustin Biernacki (great Captain's effort despite illness), Jeffrey Wang (fast time), Tom Bath (great run - but forgot his tag!)

Junior: 3rd, Intermediate: 5th, Senior: 5th

Overall Results:

1. Marcellin 25
2. Trinity 23
3. Peninsula 21
4. Camberwell 17
5. Ivanhoe 15
6. PEGS 14
7. Mentone 9
   
8. Yarra Valley 8
   
9. Assumption 3

AGSV - Round 5 @ Brimbank Park

Konrad enjoys a post race feast (Thanks CGS Mums)

Camberwell achieved its best result of the season, with an equal third placing at Brimbank Park in Round 5 of the AGSV Cross Country season.
Led once again by the consistent Junior division, the battle for premiership points ended in a 4-way tie for third, with honours shared between Peninsula, Ivanhoe, Yarra Valley and CGS.
Top runs for the day:
Juniors: Hanson (5th), Sam (7th but really 6th!), Justin (12th) - but most exciting was Tom Li's launch to 15th. Ashley Zhao (32nd) and David Liu (36th) also ran well.
Intermediates: Doug Brown (13th), Jan Uwland (26th!), Matt Bodo (38th), Sheng-Wei Wong (46th), Bill Connor (41st) - all ran season bests.
Seniors: Dustin Biernacki (is back! 24th), Tom Bath (27th), James Johnstone (48th).
Special mention to the supremely dedicated Chris Kapiniaris, who came to support despite a foot injury.

Junior: 2nd, Intermediate: 6th, Senior: 6th

Overall Results:

1. Marcellin 26
2. Trinity 19
3. = Camberwell 16
4. = Peninsula 16
5. = Ivanhoe 16
6. = Yarra Valley 16
7. PEGS 13
8. Mentone 10
9. Assumption 3

State Road Relays - La Trobe University

The 2008 State Road Relays were held in drizzly conditions on Sat 14th June. CGS' 10 teams performed admirably, with most runners relishing the short, fast road circuit through the maze of La Trobe University's carparks.
With several runners missing to to injury and illness, it was particularly encouraging to have athletes willing to run 2nd legs - doubling their workload for the day. Sam Cooke and Ashutosh Ghosh are to be commended for their efforts in this regard, but others were willing to step up as well - thankyou.
Best result on the day came from The U16 team of: Sam Cooke, Justin Verrocchi, Tom Li and Hanson Wong, who finished 14th.
Runs of note (only a selection of highlights!)
U14 (A 27th, B 24th): Cameron Doig (7.52), David Liu (8:14), David Thorn (8.25) and Ben Craine (9.25)
U16 (A 14th, B 27th, C 33rd): Sam Cooke (6:52), Hanson Wong (6.58), Jan Uwland (7.29), Matthew Bodo (7.38)
U18 (A 19th, B 32nd, C 34th): Doug Brown (10.29), Julian Lim (10.12), Ben Collins (10.49), Ashutosh Ghosh (10.44 & 11.36)
U20 (12th): Dustin Biernacki (10.51)

For full individual results, head to the Athletics Victoria website.

AGSV Round 4 - Yarra Bend

Camberwell hosted Round 4 of the AGSV Cross Country Season at Yarra Bend over a new 2.9km course, which featured a new finishing straight and plenty of spectator points. The absence of the steep finishing hill was a disappointment to some of the more keen runners amongst the squad, but it did lead to some great battles over the last 100m, which was flat and fast.

The Junior event was again the highlight of the day, with Hanson Wong's strong finishing sealing a credible 3rd position. Backed up by Sam Cooke (6th) and Justin Verrocchi (13th) , along with a season best 30th from Ashley Zhao, the juniors snatched 2nd place overall by one point from Trinity. Ashley's meteoric rise from 44th/50th to 30th was outstanding.

The Intermediates battled hard, but with Cameron Wynn missing through injury, Doug Brown stepped up and finished 16th in his best result for the season. Doug's previous 35th/35th/30th were well and truly bettered and he looked strong over the last 1km. Consistent efforts from Bill Connor and Matthew Bodo ensured a good team effort all round. Other pleasing performances came from Konrad Biernacki and the ever reliable Ryan Lee

The Seniors faced two full laps in their 5.9 km event, but secured 6th place on the back of strong performances from Julian Lim (despite asthma), Daimon Ewart (whose cross training is clearly helping), Tim Shue (who is slowly returning to form) and the irrepressible Philip Tai (whose 4oth was a season best result). Daniel Gray and James Johnstone also ran well

The team looks forward to a break this week and will welcome the return of several injured runners in 2 weeks at the State Road Relays at Latrobe Uni.

Junior: 2nd, Intermediate: 7th, Senior: 6th

Overall Results:

1. Marcellin 24
2. Trinity 20
3. Peninsula 20
4. Camberwell 15
5. Ivanhoe 15
6. Yarra Valley 14
7. PEGS 14
8. Mentone 11
9. Assumption 3

AGSV Round 3 - The Tan

Sunny weather greeted runners competing in Round 3 of the AGSV season, with a course around the famous Tan track. Times were slick and the infamous Anderson St hill rewarded those who had put in solid training efforts during previous weeks.
The Juniors were again led by Hanson Wong and Sam Cooke, who powered home at 3:35 min/km pace to gain 5th and 6th place respectively. Justin Verrocchi's 10th was also a season best.
Several other juniors continue to show excellent improvement in times, although their efforts were not always rewarded in their finishing place: David Liu, Kevin Cheung, Ashley Zhao, Magnus Ross and David Thorn all deserve special mentions.
The intermediates also completed a single lap of the Tan, with Doug Brown leading the way in 30th place, and breaking the important 4 min/km barrier for the first time. Umedha Chandrasekera ran a much improved race and Cameron Wynn also battled a bad knee to finish 2nd for CGS. James Majer, Sheng Wei Wong improved on Round 2 efforts and Lee Rayden looked great on debut.
The Seniors raced over 6.5 km, including 2 x Anderson St, but several runners improved their times despite these challenges. Ben Collins 26th was a highlight, with Tom Bath, Daimon Ewart and James Johnstone also running well. Julian Lim remained ever reliable and was the only CGS runner to break 4 min/km.

Junior: 4th, Intermediate: 7th, Senior: 6th

Overall Results:

1. Marcellin 25
2. Trinity
3. Peninsula 22
4. PEGS 16
5. Yarra Valley 14
6. Camberwell 13
7. Mentone 11
8. Ivanhoe 10
9. Assumption 3