Left: Casey Little Athletics Centre runners, back from left, Jordan Nelson and Siobhan Jagusch, and front, Samantha Prime, Jessica Cox and Charlie Jagusch will represent Victoria at the School Sport Australia and Athletics Australia Cross-Country Championships in Geelong this weekend.By Marc McGowan
FIVE talented Casey Little Athletics Centre runners will head to Geelong this weekend to take on Australia’s best.
Fifteen-year-olds Jordan Nelson and Siobhan Jagusch, 12-year-old Samantha Prime and 10-year-olds Charlie Jagusch and Jessica Cox will represent Victoria at the School Sport Australia and Athletics Australia Cross-Country Championships.
Only St Catherine’s Primary School student Charlie has not competed for the state before.
The athletes train at Casey and Knox – the latter under distance coach Richard Huggins, mentor of Olympic 1500m runner Jeff Riseley.
Charlie and Jessica qualified with second and third-place finishes respectively at the Victorian Primary School Sports’ Association State Cross-Country Championships in June.
“I feel proud, excited and nervous to have been selected, and will try my best,” Charlie said.
Jessica, who will join Charlie in the 11-year-old girls’ 3000m, is looking to improve on her eighth placing at the national championships in Perth last year.
“I am very excited to be competing again this year and to be running in my own state and at a ground (Eastern Creek) I have run at before,” the Pakenham Consolidated School student said.
Jordan, Siobhan and Samantha were selected on the strength of their performances at the Victorian All-Schools Cross-Country Championships at Bundoora Park in July.
Samantha, who will compete in the 13-year-old girls’ 3000m, finished fourth at the national event at primary school level in 2007 and second at the All-Schools competition this year.
“It was such a great experience going to Perth last year to compete for my state and also meeting new friends,” the Berwick Secondary College student said.
“I am looking forward to competing in the secondary school state team for the first time and running in my home state.”
Siobhan is a regular at the national titles, winning a gold and silver medal in 2005 and 2006 respectively before placing 12th last year.
“It has been an awesome experience representing Victoria and I have made many good friends and have had lots of fabulous competition,” the Haileybury College student said.
Three-time state representative Jordan has tempered his expectations this year as he will be racing against much older rivals in the under-18 age group.
“As I will be competing as a bottom-age athlete in the under-18s, I’m hoping to achieve my best performance in Geelong, while running cross-country in my home state,” the St Francis Xavier College student said.
Casey Little Athletics Centre cross-country co-ordinator and coach Rod Prime, father of Samantha, is thrilled with the athletes’ accomplishments.
“I’m definitely very proud of the kids and I wish them all the best and hope they all do well when they compete,” he said.
“There is no secret to their success. As long as the kids have fun, enjoy their running and learn from their coaches, success will follow.”
