Sam Clifford’s absolute relief at finally snaring a national cross-country win for the first time could well have been eclipsed by the delight of the run in his home state.
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“It’s actually taken me six years to get a national title in cross country,” a jubilant Clifford said after his victory at Rokeby in the south of the state, “and I can’t believe I did it in my home state as well. Nothing’s better than being national champion on your home turf, really.”
He crossed the line at the School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships 14-to-15-year-old 4km race in a winning time of 11:51.
The Riverside High student finished 10 seconds ahead of New South Welshmen Angus Beer on Saturday.
Clifford, who has ran cross country since six years of age, felt it was just his time.
“What got me over the line first was probably having motivation from the past five years,” he said.
“I remember feeling like I could definitely be a medal chance, or possibly winning it, a couple of years ago when I raced in Melbourne where I got my first individual medal.
“That’s when I realised I could really have a go at this.
“So I kept working hard and I got second the year before and I thought there’s not much now to improve on.”
Clifford, 15, stayed in the leading group through the first of the two 2km laps, but broke away in the next 500m of the second up the hill.
The lead stretched out past 10 metres on the decline and his momentum proved unstoppable heading out to a 50-metre break into the home straight.
“I knew enough about the course; it was pretty easy to wrap my head around it, but it was just whatever conditions come with it I worked it to my advantage,” he said.
Christopher Law was the second-placed Tasmanian in 31st (13:00), with Erin Giles the first girl home in 50th place (16:02).
Isabella Davie would claim Tasmania’s second-best individual result, finishing the 12-year girls’ race fifth in a time of 11:46 with Millie Smith the next best in 25th.
Tom Winkel was the first home-state runner in the 12-year boys, crossing 20th in 11:06, one second and two places ahead of Sam McKee.
In the 11-year boys, Oliver Sims and Harry Brereton were a place and a second apart, finishing 20th and 21st respectively, meanwhile Charli Davis was the first Tasmanian home in the girls’ race, coming 12th in 11:43.
A cluster of Tasmanians finished the 10 year boys’ race together in Isaac Melling (22nd), Luke Palmer (24th) and Eli Wood (25th), and similarly for girls Averyl Quinn (8:01), Lucy Smith, Abbey Berlese, Jemima Lennon and Sophie Marshall, who placed in the early 20s.
Charli Kay (10:51) was sixth in the 13-year girls’ race, 21 seconds behind the winner while Alexander Kwa led the way in the boys, 26th in 10:39, as Harry Raff made the journey from King Island to finish 32nd (10:53).
The 18-to-19-year boys’ race was won by Joshua Torley, of ACT, in 24:01 with Max Green the first Tasmanian in 16th, as Isabelle Sharman (22:47) was the 12th girl.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
