Student-athletes from grades 3 to 8 laced up their running shoes Thursday for the Kent Catholic Schools Athletic Council cross-country meet at Thames Grove Conservation Area.
Around 560 runners took part in the event, with families lining the start and finish lines to cheer them on. The event kicked off with the exceptional race, followed by the girls’ and boys’ divisions for each grade.
“We had an awesome turnout today and the weather was wonderful,” said KCSAC chair Matt Serruys. “It’s a good individual event for them to start off the year to test their endurance. It’s good training for other sports too. The primary grades were once again outstanding. We had around 200 runners. We can’t ask for a better turnout than that.”
Grade 3 student Charlotte Vanlith of Good Shepherd was among the young runners. Though she admitted she woke up feeling nervous, Vanlith finished first out of more than 100 students in her race.
Asked what pre-race meal fueled her to victory, Vanlith said: “Carrots, bread with peanut butter, and another bread.”
A pennant for each division was awarded to the school with the most points. In the girls’ divisions, St. Angela Merici won Grade 8 and Grade 7, École Ste-Marie won Grade 6, Monsignor Uyen won Grade 5, St. Anne won Grade 4, and St. Francis, Tilbury, won Grade 3. In the boys’ divisions, Christ the King won Grade 8 and Grade 3, Monsignor Uyen won Grade 7 and Grade 4, École Ste-Marie won Grade 6, and St. Anne won Grade 5.
