In a classic Melbourne morning that had all four seasons in an hour, Kayla DeBondt, Leonora Contaxis & Sarah Minahan have run superbly to secure 3rd place in the Women’s Division 4 XCR Relay at Princes Park. Today was the first time that SKAAC has ever entered a female AV XCR team in our own right and provides a perfect springboard to XCR 2018 when our Mens Team will also run under the famous SKAAC colours for the first time since 2002.
Kayla led off in her first hit-out since returning from Europe in 11:03, followed by Leonora in 14:13 (having to run in freezing wind and rain!) and finished superbly by Sarah in 13:14.
Thanks to Pat Di Natale (SKOBFC Saints Coach) for his assistance in getting the team together and also to Tristan Mioni for his support as team manager for the day.
Please see the before and after shots, and the fact that the team was still smiling afterwards, prompted the question…”how about the 4×800 at State Relays?” I lived to tell the tale – so watch out at the relays!!

BEFORE

AFTER

It is with great excitement that we announce that SKAAC will be fielding our first ever Female AV Winter Cross Country team in the SKAAC colours this Saturday at the Princes Park Relay. Kayla de Bondt, Sarah Minahan & Leonora Contaxis will make history at 9:05am.
This achievement is significant in that in 2018 SKAAC will be entering the AV XCR competition in our own right, after taking the decision to leave APS United.
Thanks to Pat Di Natale coach of the SKOB Saints and also to Tim Crosbie from AV for their support to make this a reality.
Go SKAAC

Today SKAAC made history by securing not one, but two APSOC Cross Country Premierships in Division 1 & Division 2 at the Cooke McClelland Shield at Burke Hall over a punishing 8km.

Not only were Premierships secured in Division 1 for the first time since 1995, but Division 2 was also secured for the first time since well before 1998.

There have been so many great performances this season in the securing of the Div 1 Premiership, nearly too many to list, but I’m going to try anyway!!

Luke Mathews – stunning win at the Jamieson by nearly 40 seconds in SKAAC’s first Jamieson individual win in many years
Peter Bol – Cracking first leg at the Dyson in only his second race introduction to Anderson Street
Brad Mathas – Debut APSOC race at the Jamieson was a super important leg to get SKAAC off to a flyer in 2017. 3rd fastest SKAAC athlete at the Dyson.
Matt Hussey – SKC Year 10 and key member of the Div 1 team at the Jamieson this season, super debut run and prodigious talent. Did not look out of place in the team photo alongside some of the country’s best distance runners.
Ben Tipper – Fantastic effort to make the Top 10 at the Jamieson. As strong as any of them down the stretch at Scotch at the Jamieson – massive future, also looked at home amongst National Champions & Olympians in the winning team photo at the Jamieson.
Alex Rowe – SKAAC had 3 winning teams for the season and Alex was the only athlete to figure in all 3 winning teams
Anthony Aloisio – past APSOC Athlete of the Year part of the near record winning team at the Dyson Relay
Jack Holden – Battled injury to get to the start line and was magnificent in the Dyson team that all broke 12 minutes each for The Tan. A super committed effort under extreme duress.
Mark Deluca – Club stalwart and past APSOC Athlete of the Year, who has given so much over the years. Huge leg at the Dyson to bring the team home, nearly 3 minutes in front of second place
Tristan Day – A massive Year 10 talent from Trinity Grammar who raced brilliantly at the Williamson, beating home his idol Craig Mottram in the process. Backed up for a crucial Cooke McClelland 8km to finish 7th overall.
Callum Day – Raced at the Williamson for 13th overall and cracked the Top 10 at the Cooke McClelland. Huge upside after previously being an elite basketballer. Watch out for 2018!!
Luca Di Conza – Youngest member by a mile at only 13 years of age and finished in Top 20 at the Williamson. The further the distance the better. Reigning Under 14 Track & Field Club Champion
Steve Fabris – SKAAC Committee Member and ultimate team sacrifice to face the starter at the Williamson and again at the Hooley, and despite better judgement at the Cooke. Premiership success is such a rich reward for Fab’s passion and commitment to the Green, Gold & Blue. Coach to many of the Premiership winning team members.
Simon Field – Busted up, and he’ll be cursing when he wakes up on Monday morning, but there was no way SKAAC were ever going to give in with Fieldy on board. Two time AV XCR Athlete of the year and SKC & SKAAC Legend. Smashed it at the Williamson, Hooley and Cooke.
Joe Lynch – Life member and SKAAC’s “Mr Dependable” So appropriate that he is a big part of the success of 2017. You can always count on “Lynchy”
Xavier Chapman – Former APSOC Athlete of the Year and brilliant race winner at the Cooke McClelland in the last race of the season backing up his “fastest for SKAAC” at the Williamson. Has given so much to SKAAC Cross Country over the years, so to now be part of team success is a great return for Xavier’s commitment in the lean years.
Lincoln Mah – Like Fab part of the current SKAAC Committee and LOYAL servant to the club. Great run in one of the most important races for the club in nearly a quarter of a century.

The Sunday fixture of the Cooke McClelland seemed to play into our hands, with exactly 12 brave SKAAC athletes facing the starter, with each and every single member CRUCIAL in the securing of the Club’s two deserved Premierships. If 1 of the 12 did not run today, the Div 2 Premiership would have been won by Old Carey. Whoever said this sport runs on a knife edge, certainly knew what they were talking about.

Cooke McClelland results (20/8/2017)

Div 1 (42 points)
Xavier Chapman 26.44.49 (1st)
Alex Rowe 27:15.27 (2nd)
Simon Field 28:08.49 (4th)
Tristan Day 28:29.34 (7th)
Callum Day 29:25.18 (10th)
Lincoln Mah 31:33.18 (18th)

Div 2 (220 points) 1st in Div 2 & 6th overall
Steve Fabris 31:57.96 (19th)
Riley Bolton 33;22.43 (21st)
Karen Thorp 34:05.55 (25th)
Samuel Doble 36:07.99 (39th)
Brosie McCann 38:41.24 (49th)
Chloe Cornwell (67th)

A big thanks to Team Manager Mark Moussalli who has expertly guided the fortunes for APSOC so well this season. Also big congratulations to fellow SKAAC Committee members responsible for Cross Country, Sam Doble and Tristan Mioni – great effort lads.

And to every athlete, well Done to all who have contributed to such a successful APSOC season in 2017. Who could have predicted this…??

Go SKAAC