Kirstie Rae, who earlier in the month won the New Zealand under 18 title, was the first New Zealander home in third position only 4 seconds behind Small, with Baker only four seconds in arrears for fourth. Baker is an outstanding sporting all-rounder and with a still a year left in the under 18 grade has an exciting future in whatever sport she chooses.
The New Zealand team took the team title with Aimee Fergusson finishing in 7th and the New Zealand Schools champion Hannah O'Connor in 8th.
The fact that they were only 4 and 5 seconds respectively further back is testament to the depth of the field. Two days later Baker ran with them again in the winning New Zealand under 18 relay team (5x2km legs).
Sarah Lambert on her international debut was 30th. Although a little disappointed she can take much away from the experience. Unlike New Zealand, where individual schools enter athletes the Australian Championships has full state-selected teams. Lambert has come a long way. Only a year ago she finished in a similar position in a weak New Zealand schools' field — she too has an exciting future. Lambert ran with the older girls in the relay as a part of a winning under 20 combination.
Liam Back, although disappointed and a little frustrated by his run, nevertheless was part of the New Zealand team that took the bronze medal. The race was won by Aucklander Murdock McIntyre who completed the 6km course in 20 minutes 14 seconds.
Back, who defeated McIntyre in both the New Zealand Schools and Athletic New Zealand Schools, ran for most of the journey but after about 4km stumbled and lost his rhythm and never recovered saying he felt wretched and felt like dropping out.
He held on for 18th in a strong field only seconds behind fellow team bronze medal winners Andres Hermandez and Taonga Mbambo, both of whom usually finish behind Back.
Back's training performances had suggested he was in great form and this was evident two days later when Back was the fastest Kiwi in the NZ third placed relay team. Back ran a slick 8 minutes 50 seconds over the 3km cross country circuit.
I said to Liam that athletes learn more from relative failure than from a diet of success.
Back is an outstanding athlete with an impressive list of achievements and this was only a minor setback and one that he will learn from. He, unlike the majority of athletes participating, does come home with a medal.
Team mate Zach Bellamy on his international debut without a medal but as one of the youngest in the field in his first major cross-country season should be delighted with his 31st position and the way he moved up the field in the latter stages of the race.
He, like Baker and Back, is young enough to run in the same grade next year and although not in the 5-man relay ran in the time trial for non- team members over the same course and gained the satisfaction of running faster than two athletes selected.
It is rare for Whanganui to contribute with four athletes in a New Zealand Team and all have gained from the experience.
Baker and Lambert head off with their respective Whanganui High School and Wanganui Collegiate Hockey Teams to Tournament week excited by their Australian experience.
They, like me, return for the 41st Round the Lake Relay to be run at Virginia Lake on Monday, September 10. The relay is always a highlight on the school running calendar.
