Under-20 XC winners Laura Roderick and Pat Cantlon lead quality junior fields at State XC

19 June 2022

Under-20 XC winners Laura Roderick and Pat Cantlon lead quality junior fields at State XC

The junior fields, from under-12 to 14 at the NSW Cross Country Championships yesterday at Willandra, were some of the strongest for years. Many event line-ups had highly competitive races way more than 10 deep. Maybe with the World Cross Country Championships in their sights next year or after missing some racing in the last two years due to COVID, either way it is promising for NSW distance running hopes.

Under-20 Women 6km

Despite a setback in the race, World Juniors bound 5000m athlete, Laura Roderick (RBH) claimed victory in the uder-20 6km event in a time of 22:03, from Shayne Hargreaves (BAN) with 22:04.

“My coach Jordan Williams wanted to treat it like a tempo run as I had not been focusing on cross country and run any specific cross country workouts,” said Laura.

From the gun she was leading, with Newcastle’s Hannah Anderson following in second. In third was 2019 World U20 cross country representative Sarah Schiffmann, also from Newcastle, while in fourth was Bankstown’s Shayne Hargreaves.

But before she had completed one lap of the race, Laura missed a turn.

“There wasn’t a course official so I turned and went off the wrong way. Someone yelled out, so I had to turn around and by that stage the girl who was behind me was not 80m ahead. But it work out okay, as I caught her on the second lap about the middle of the race,” said Laura.

It did make the race closer than it needed to be for Laura. Behind the runner up, Shayne Hargreaves, was Sarah Schiffmann with 22:34.

Laura Roderick was one of the finds of the 2022 summer season for NSW junior distance running. Her rise involved massive progression and increased high quality racing – all very new for Laura.

“I had a big break after nationals. I had been racing back-to-back from Zatopek through to Nationals.”

It was a wise plan by coach Jordan Williams as it also coincided with the start of university for Laura. Resuming after the break, Laura eased back into training.

“I moved to base milage, long easy runs, fartlek and tempo runs. I’m now starting to get into specific sessions before Columbia (World U20 Championships).”

Saturday’s race, although not a track event, was still useful for Laura.

“I have been training on my own a little bit due to university as it has been hard to make the sessions with my training group.”

Under-20 Men 8km

The men’s under-20 8km event also included a World U20 Championships bound athlete - Pat Cantlon. He faced a big test from a dozen quality distance runners, with some National medallists finishing between 10th and 15th in the competitive race.

“There were some good runners and I knew I was in for a battle,” said Pat.

2.5 kilometres into the race, the lead pack still comprised nine athletes including sub-3:50 1500m athletes Bailey Habler (RBH) and Kane Shields (BAL), and sub-8:30 3k guys Cameron Gorman (UTN), Hamish Hart (Knox) and Lachlan Townsend (SYU). Another to watch was triathlete Logan Campbell (SAA) lurking at the back of the lead pack.

But by 5.5km the lead pack had well and truly sorted itself out, now down to three with Pat Cantlon, leading Cameron Gorman and Bailey Habler with triathlete Logan Campbell in fourth.

But by 6.5km, Pat Cantlon was clear of the field, with sizable gaps back to second - Gorman, third - Campbell and in fourth Habler.

“Right on 6km I felt all right, and made a surge, and my run for home,” said Pat.

The places remained over the last mile with Pat Canton hitting the finishing tape in 26:06, from Gorman (26:19), Campbell (26:35) and Habler (26:46). Although Pat is too old, the others in the top-4 are strong prospects for the under-20 team for the World Cross Country Championships next year in Bathurst.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Pat Cantlon and Hamish Hart lead the U20 men’s field. (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)