Bendigo winning streak by women rolls on in Aths Vic XCR 2022

The unbeaten streak by Bendigo Bats in women’s Division four of Athletics Victoria’s cross-country series has reached six after Saturday’s racing at Bundoora Park. The Bendigo Bats men’s team also reigned supreme in men’s premier, and division four, once again.

Athletes raced 10km to decide the Open, 40-plus, 50-plus and 60-plus age group state champions.

In this round, it was Alice Wilkinson, 21^st in 40.03; Vanessa Bull, 59^th in 45.13; and Juliet Heahleah, 69^th in 46.22, who teamed up for Bendigo to score points for their Division four team. If this streak continues, the team is set to progress up to Divison 3 for the 2023 season.

Among those cheering Bendigo to victory was Bec Wilkinson, complete with ‘moon boot’, who had run in the opening two rounds.

Bendigo was runner-up in women’s division five.

The Bendigo Bats men’s team also reigned supreme in men’s premier, and division four, once again.

The top six times for the team counted towards points for the Premer Division, with six athletes inside the top 30.

Nathan Stoate ran 30.38 to be fourth overall as Brady Threlfall, 9^th in 31.07; Matt Buckell, 11^th in 31.31; Jamie Cook, 26^th in 32.42; Bryan Kelly, 29^th in 32.55; and Brian McGinley, 30^th in 32.58; ensured the Bats would beat Geelong and Box Hill.

Nathan Stoate and Brady Threlfall have now qualified for the Australia National Cross Country Championships, with Matt Buckell recording an XCR best ever result of 11th and awaits selection advice.

The next five athletes scored points for the team’s Division four team.

Times and placings for Bendigo in men’s division four were Glenn McMillan, 57^th in 34.07; Archie Reid, 68^th in 34.40; Nigel Preston, 75^th in 35.04; Stephen van Rees, 82^nd in 35.34; and Matthew Heislers, 89^th in 36.12.

Bendigo was second, third and 10^th in division seven men’s racing.

Despite not full team contingents, the Bats were 18^th in 50-plus men and 13^th in 60-plus men.

The day’s racing doubled as the Victorian All Schools cross-country championships and national XC selection trials.

In the under-15 girls race, Chelsea Tickell was fifth and Ebony Woodward was 61^st.

Avery McDermid was 14^th in the under-15 boys race.

The under-16 girls event included 10^th placing for Genevieve Nihill.

Mason Woodward and Max Rowe were 21^st and 25^th in the under-17 boys as Tully Lang was 31^st in the under-17 girls event.

Bats’ young guns Jayden Padgham and Harrison Boyd were third and fifth in the under-18 boys as Angus Macafee was 33^rd.

Phoebe Lonsdale ran to seventh place in the under-18 girls as Tullie Rowe and Taryn Furletti were 7^th and 12^th in the under-20 women’s final.

On Sunday, Gin McCormick ran to victory in the 10km Run Melbourne in her Bendigo singlet.

Next round in XCR 22 is a 10km showdown at Lakeside Albert Park on August 7, the distance for juniors at this event will be 3km.