More than 2,690 students from 120 primary schools converged on Sydney Motorsport Park for Day 2 of Sydney Catholic Schools’ inaugural Pre to Post Cross Country Championships.

On a bright and sunny day in Sydney’s west, the championships officially began with Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights student Alexa Filipakis leading the audience in a most beautiful acapella rendition of our national anthem. 

It so moved the athletes that some spontaneously placed their hands on each other’s shoulders in camaraderie and as a sign of respect.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, with some of today’s proud medalists.

And so began our students’ road to the Catholic Primary Schools Championships. 

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Manager for Sport, Damien Kerr, was elated with how well things went on both days of competition.

“It was wonderful to see the crowd support and the wonderful displays of graciousness and sportsmanship from all our athletes, whether they won or lost,” Mr Kerr said. 

“It was also pleasing to see how many parents and athletes were using the SportSplits Real-Time Tracking app to watch the live results come in – this is the first time we have made this app available to our schools and families.

“We also saw huge numbers tune in to our first Cross Country live stream.” 

Two very proud Sydney Catholic School principals and sports lovers narrated the action for the audience watching the live stream – Chris Egan from Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School Beverly Hills and Hannah Schneider from Villa Maria Catholic Primary School Hunters Hill

More than 1,100 secondary students from across the Archdiocese of Sydney came together today to compete in Sydney Catholic Schools’ inaugural Pre to Post combined Cross Country Championships in Eastern Creek.

The Cross Country Championships officially began with an opening ceremony, signalling the start of 16 races ranging from three to eight kilometres in length. 

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Manager for Sport, Damien Kerr, said the excitement, both in the stands and on the track at Sydney Motorsport Park, was palpable on Day 1 of the two-day Championships. And with very good reason.

“Today’s event marked the first time in Sydney Catholic Schools’ history that a cross country was live-streamed and had commentators narrating all the action,” Mr Kerr said. 

The 2022 Cross Country Championships 18 Years Boys winners.

First-time commentators and very good friends, Gabby Zanapalis and Natalie Toma, both rose to the unexpected challenge, syncing seamlessly and bouncing off one another well. 

The Year 9 students, from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington, were invited to commentate as part of their school’s entrepreneurship program.

“It was nerve-wracking at first – I don’t like the sound of my own voice,” admitted Natalie.

Gabby, on the other hand, was not embarrassed at all, stating “I love the sound of my own voice.”

“I do athletics so I understand the mental and physical preparation these athletes need to have, so I feel it was easier for me to say some things,” Gabby, who hopes to one day work as a multimedia specialist, said.

The system’s new