Collective Success
Wenona's Cross Country team has delivered the School’s best-ever point score, finishing second overall at the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) Championships, with all 53 of our runners contributing to the historic achievement.
The result was built on remarkable team depth, with every runner finishing in the top 40 and the highest individual placement being sixth. This consistency saw five students place in the top 10, while 14 have qualified for the New South Wales Combined Independent Schools Sports Council (CIS) competition as part of the IGSA team.
Our Year 11 runners in the 17 Years category (Zoe, Ally, and Grace) claimed first place, while our Year 8 students competing in the 14 Years category (Chloe, Grace, and Sadie) secured second place.
Cross Country Captain, Grace (Year 12), praised the team's unity. "Seeing every runner from Years 7 to 12 contribute to such a historic result made me feel really proud − not just of our second-place result, but of the culture and unity we built as a team," she said. "It felt like the culmination of months of hard work and early mornings."
This success followed months of structured training under Head of Sport, Mr Ben Offeriens, and coach, Mr Hamish Longworth. The team trained twice weekly, combining longer pace runs with interval sessions, supplemented by a holiday program to maintain fitness.
Grace emphasised the team-first approach: "We trained not as individuals but as a group, pushing each other during our training sessions and holding each other up to high standards both on and off the course."
This spirit proved crucial on race day, with Wenona students from every year group lining the course to support their teammates. "We made a conscious effort, especially the senior girls, to talk to all the younger girls before their race," Grace explained. "This created a culture where every member of the team felt seen and important."
The 14 Wenona students progressing to CIS will continue their training program as they prepare for the next level of competition.
Mr Hill noted that the achievement "typifies our approach of the collective contributing to our success," highlighting how the team's depth and unity delivered exceptional results across all age groups.