Torquay College runners attend State Champs

TORQUAY College’s running program continues to pay dividends, with the school again sending four students to the State Cross Country Championships at Yarra Valley Racing Club.

School teacher and running coach Dan McLoughlin praised the efforts of students Sam Zdrzalka, Pip Harper, Jonathan Hudson and Archie Thomas for participating in this month’s championships.

“We’ve always seems to have good representation at the champs, we had four students at the event last year, so it’s been a great thing to see as a school,” McLoughlin said.

“The students do a lot of training together, they get behind each other, push each other and support each other, and from that it breeds a really successful environment.”

The students, from Grade 4 to Grade 6, undergo a rigorous training regime beginning at the start of the year, taking on a mini cross country circuit as a “warm up” before each training session in Term 1.

The students are also encouraged to do running during their lunchtimes and outside of school, with many students electing to be trained by Jo King, a local runner and ex-Australian triathlete, to excel their development to an elite level.

Harper finished her event in 14th overall, the quickest runner representing the Bellarine region.

Zdrzalka also obtained the quickest time for runners representing the Bellarine, but all four Torquay College runners were lauded by McLoughlin.

“Their grit and determination is really inspiring, the enthusiasm as well has been so great to see, they’re just keen to keep improving,” McLoughlin said.

“Cross country is a real jewel in the school’s crown, and we’re keen to keep growing it and keep attending these major events.

“We’ll keep inviting families and friends to attend our cross country day at front beach and we hope students can keep giving running a crack.”