MOREE junior athletics coach Ronny Clissold is going out on a limb.
Next Thursday, June 11, a group of young athletes – all members of Ronny’s Runners – will travel to Coolah, about one hour south-east of Coonabarabran, to compete in zone qualifiers for the NSW PSSA Cross Country Championships at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park next month.
The North West Primary Schools Sports Association Cross Country Carnival at Coolah will draw hundreds of runners from across the north-west zone.
Runners must first succeed at local school and zone carnivals to qualify for Coolah, with the top six runners in each age division advancing to represent the north-west region at Horsley Park.
Clissold, who trains more than 30 kids, is confident the squad can bring home up to five wins.
Runners Dougal Quinn, Marley and Austin Legg, Chase and Levi Cosgrove, Chase Hobday, Bella and Will Boland, Evie Woods, Lachie Bowhay, Frieda Tesoriero, Jamal Bailey-Smith, Eddie McNamara, Will Smith, Billy Assef, Liam O’Hara, Tom Jensen, Jake Ewart and Tom Murphy will travel to Coolah to compete.
“I don’t think we’ve had that many to make it to Coolah, and this time I’m sticking my nose out and saying we can win five races – I don’t think that’s ever been done before,” Clissold said.
“I feel certain Bella Boland, and Austin and Marley Legg can win. Tommy Jensen and Tommy Murphy are both in the same race and either of those two can win as well, even though they’re up against a couple of really good runners.
“Jake Ewart or Will Smith will also be up against each other in their race, and either can win.
“Coolah will be the last qualifying round for public school kids before the state titles. If they can make the top six, they’ll go to Sydney
“We’ll also have four kids from St Phillies – Izzy Riordon, Chase and Levi Cosgrove and Anthony Smith –going to Sydney to qualify as well,” he said.
All Ronny’s Runners enjoyed a work-out Monday afternoon.
“Of the 18 runners heading to Coolah and Sydney for the qualifiers, 17 ran personal best times for three kilometres,” Clissold said.
Qualifying runners will compete in two kilometre and three kilometre events at each venue.
“There are about 70 runners in each race, sometimes more. They’ll be up against the best, and finishing in the top six will get them to the state titles, where there might be up to 80 kids in each race,” Clissold said.
