They're off!
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The 5th Annual Gemini Elementary School Cross Country Meet is a form of productive fundraising.
It does represent the high school cross country program's biggest fundraising event of the year. Essentially speaking, showing up en masse and acting as race starters, marshals, recorders and officials, means Gemini cross country runners can escape the spectre of athletic user fees.
But the event is productive well beyond that in additional senses.
In the first place, it allows Gemini coaches Lloyd Renken, Rick Kibalenko and Katrina Massey to identify talented potential 'draft picks' for the high school program.
Secondly, it provides an additional, local race for Tillsonburg elementary students.
But as much as either of those factors, it also ties in nicely with an effort to promote healthy activity and friendly competition among the community's youth.
"It's productive in the sense we're trying to get kids interested in cross country racing and athletics," said Renken.
He was anticipating over 100 competitors, based on an estimate of at least 15 or 20 from each of Annandale, Maple Lane, Rolph St., Southridge, St. Joe's and possibility Courtland Public. A trio of courses were laid out in Participark's roughly one-kilometre length for separate girls and boys Grades 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 divisions.
"The Grade 3/4s go down roughly halfway and come back," explained Renken, with the Grade 5/6's going around three-quarters of the full length before returning. "And the Grade 7 and 8s go full park."
The top three finishers in each of the six divisions receive medals says Renken, who once again, appreciated the fact Mother Nature had chosen to smile on the event.
"We've been really lucky," he concluded. "The weather in the past has always been terrific too."
Race Results
Grade 3/4 Girls
1. Reegen Lindie
2. Krystin Winters
3. Chelsea Fisher
4. Kenna Csyani
5. Samantha Hayes-Sao
Grade 3/4 Boys
1. Hayden McLean
2. Brandon Balaz
3. Devin Hawley
4. Jack Soares
5. Eli Newson
Grade 5/6 Girls
1. Emma Chevers
2. Tasia Stevens
3. Naomi Dube
4. Madeline McNinch
5. Gillian Gilmore
Grade 5/6 Boys
1. Matt Fabi
2. Jacob Bailey
3. Logan Brown
4. Carter Newson
5. Connor McDowell
Grade 7/8 Girls
1. Madeline Jelsma
2. Victoria Kyriakopoulos
3. Haleigh Cole
4. Hailey Granger
5. Tori Cole
Grade 7/8 Boys
1. Christian Leliveld
2. Curtis Colver
3. Cam Weston
4. Griffen Sinden
5. Tyler Newton