FOR the first time in many years, 11 Mansfield Secondary College students were eligible to participate in the State Cross Country at the Yarra Valley Racing Club on Thursday July 14

Students achieved sufficiently high placings in earlier competitions (Southern Ranges Cross Country and Hume Region Cross Country) to qualify for competition.

The State Cross Country Championships is a combined Primary and Secondary Event.

The bus was an unusually quiet one with the anticipation of the big race dwelling on the runners.

Despite the windy conditions, the air was full of nervous energy and excitement, and there was standing room only in the stands.

The canteen line for hot food and drinks was as busy as the racing track itself.

Our students ran very well against a high–class field of the state's top school–aged runners.

Results were:

12 to13 Boys: Tristan Fox – 81st and Liam Smith – 83rd;

14 Girls: Ava Mahoney – 85th;

15 Girls: Estelle O'Neill – 50th;

15 Boys: Judah Kelleher – 28th and Sam Guppy – 35th;

16 Girls: Adele Leon – 80th and Quinn Russell – 87th;

16 Boys: Lachie Pickering – 68th;

17 to 20 Girls: Alicia Rowe – 60th.

"It was really good to meet other runners from around the state," said Adele Leon.

According to Judah the ground was really muddy and it was like running on a slow moving treadmill.

"However, the other runners were really friendly and everyone was sportsmanlike," he said.

"It was good fun to run against some of the best in Victoria despite the really wet track," said Sam.

For the runners to reach the final 100 in the state is an achievement within itself but then to go and run your hardest on a wet track is another.

They did themselves, the college and Mansfield as a whole very proud.

What a great experience for them; they can hold their heads up high.