TERRACE
CROSS COUNTRY 2008
GPS CHAMPIONS 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
GPS RUNNER UP 2005, 2006
and Third Place in 2007
The Long Red Line Continues...
Cross Country can be a tough and lonely sport at times. Being part of a school team and getting to know boys across all year levels is one of the greatest opportunities it presents though. It is a sport where you know you can give 100% and get a feeling of achievement when you reach your goals. There are not many other sports where a boy can feel like a winner and be very satisfied with their performance even if they come last in the race.
For many years Terrace took the wooden spoon in GPS Cross Country. Finally in the early 90's some individual talent started to shine. This was integral to a team feeling begining to gain momentum. In 1995 Terrace finished equal 2nd but a long way behind Grammar. The next year Terrace led the carnival all day but when the points were announced, the team had just fallen short of their Premiership dream. Seconds and thirds followed and 2000 was almost a repeat of 1996 with Grammar just beating us by a mere two points.
2001 saw Terrace enter a very strong team into GPS and the result was every age group finishing in the top three and Terrace becoming the Premiers for the first time ever. We held off Churchie in the Open race and won the day by three points. Captain Luke Boosey was the first Terrace boy in history to hold aloft the Jack Ross Trophy.
2002 was the test whether or not the Terrace team had reached their goal and was satisfied or whether they would go on with it and become a real force in cross country in GPS, QLD and Australia. More and more runners wre being selected in QLD teams and competing well at the Australian National championships. We toured Sydney and competed against the NSW GPS and CAS schools. Terrace won every individual and team race possibly suggesting that we were now one of the strongest teams in the nation. Matthew Horrocks became the second captain to raise the Jack Ross trophy for another Premiership. The team won by a very large 7 point margin.
2003 could have been a disaster. One week before the championships, we thought that we had a fair chance of winning again. But Monday brought the news of a broken collarbone, a sprained ankle, a student hospitalised with asthma and almost half the team hit with Flu. By Saturday every boy decided to compete (ready or not!). The result was our 3peat. By far our most satisfying win saw Ed Bowden hold the Premiership trophy above his head for the third time in as many years. 2004 proved to be the ultimate test for the entire squad as more and more schools had substantially improved the quality of their teams. The championships were to create more Terrace history but not after some very anxious moments.
2005 was another outstanding season for GPS Cross Country with the team placing second in the Cross Country Shield (lead up events) and second at the GPS Championships. The performance at GPS was magnificent and on a par with any of the previous 4 GPS Premiership teams. However the Nudgee team of 2005 were simply awesome and were worthy Championship winners.
The 2006 season created history for Terrace Cross Country as the team was able to win for the first time the GPS Cross Country Shield for GPS Cross Country Lead Up events. The team thoroughly deserved their reward for such consistent results over the long pre championship season. The victory showed that the wonderful preparation and training, led by Head Coach Mr Coman was going to provide the team with an outstanding springboard into the 2006 GPS Championships.
Despite only gaining a moderate 6th place in Under 13, our Under 14 and Under 15 teams rose to the occassion and gained two well earned second places. With our two strongest age groups to follow, all was looking well for the GPS team. However as long as GPS Cross Country will be run, the race will always throw up its challenges. So it was in the Under 16 race where are expected finish place in the top 3 did not materialise. Not to be down cast, the Open team responded magnificently to record a wonderful second place to bring Terrace within one point of eventual winners, Brisbane Grammar School.
The 2007 season produced another season of incredible fortitude, courage and extraordinary performances.The GPS squad were successful in defending (for the first time) the GPS Cross Country Shield that the team won in 2006. This was a fitting result with the team having won 4 of 6 lead up meets prior to the GPS Championships.
Championship Day arrived with a number of the squad choosing to compete under obvious duress - two athletes having broken their collarbones in the last 2 rounds of rugby. The Championship commenced with the Under 13 and Under 14 age groups running solidly to place fifth in each race. As was the case in 2006, 10 higher places from our sixth runner in Under 13 would have placed that age group third - and eventually given Terrace the 2007 title. However that is the beauty of the Championships. Despite the pre season results, the title is decided on what is a special day where the pressure and special performances are the challenge that all teams face.
The Under 15 age group ran superbly to energise the wonderful group of supporters that were so supportive of all the runners. The Under 15 age group finished second and in doing so lay a platform for the older age groups to make a concerted effort to regain the Jack Ross Trophy. The second place galvanised the Under 16 age group which produced one of the best performances from an age group on the day. The Age group finished in first place with some of the most uplifting performances imaginable.
With one age group left, 3 schools were in position to secure victory. A first place for Terrace would be all that was needed. What an equation!! The Opens set about their task with great commitment. Covering the 6 kilometre course the Opens fought tooth and nail with the Open team from ACGS. This was to be a nail biting finish. In the end ACGS won the race with Terrace a very close second. While it was a heartbreaking conclusion - acknowledging that the trophy was headed elsewhere, there was a clear appreciation from all involved and with supporters that the Terrace Cross Country Team had given their all. Everyone wearing red and black were thoroughly proud of every runner that competed on the day.
The Championships were won by IGS and ACGS on 37 points with Terrace third on 36 points. While there was obvious disappointment in the end result there was no disappointment in the process and the effort of all involved with the team.
Let's hope all who were there in 2007, remember that one higher place in any race would have had a different conclusion and that that will provide the motivation for again ensuring the Long Red Line continues.
Mr
Damien Coman
DIRECTOR OF CROSS COUNTRY
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