Little athletes go the distance at Rochester’s cross country carnival

By Oliver Shedden

Jun 30, 2025

Rochester Little Athletics Centre’s Peter Curtis came second in the under-six event.

Rochester Little Athletics Centre held its edition of the 2025 Northern Country Region Cross-Country Carnival to great success, with some local stars shining bright.

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The event, held at Windridge Oval on Saturday, June 28, was one of seven regional cross country events that are direct qualifiers for the 2025 State Cross-Country Championships held at Lake Dewar.

More than 90 athletes aged six to 17 came from across northern Victoria to take part in the event, including from centres in Nagambie, Wodonga, Kyabram, Echuca-Moama, Murrindindi, Benalla, Bendigo and Shepparton, among others.

Rochester's Vincent Ryan crosses the line in fourth place in the under-11 2km event. Photo by Oliver Shedden

Rochester had four athletes taking part in the carnival with some strong results coming out of the day, including Peter Curtis finishing second in the under-six boys invitational 500m event and Jordan Moroney placing third in the under-nine boys’ 1.5km.

Elsewhere, Vincent Ryan made a good account of himself, placing fourth in the under-11 2km event and Evie Burns finished ninth in the under-nine girls’ 1.5km.

Competitors take off for the 1km seven and eight-year-old combined event. Photo by Oliver Shedden

Peter took part in an invitational event for athletes to get experience for when they are eligible for state competitions.

Whether any of the other Rochester athletes will qualify for the state championships is unknown, as they will have to wait for the other regional carnivals to be held.

Echuca-Moama's Lenny Priest won the 1km seven and eight-year-old combined event. Photo by Oliver Shedden

RLAC committee member Kylie Moroney reflected on the event and the performance of the club’s local athletes.

“We thought the event went well. Little Athletics Victoria ran the day and from what I could make out, everyone thought it was a good day,” she said.

Lenny’s brother River Priest finished strongly for Echuca-Moama in the under-11 2km event. Photo by Oliver Shedden

“For us, it was nice for people to be able to come to Rochy, use Windridge Oval, and it all seemed to flow well.

“It's pretty exciting to be able to show people our area. We are a small centre in comparison to some of the other clubs that have access to coaches and training. Our kids just turn up and try their best.

Rochester member Peter Curtis and Wodonga’s Bay Smith-Deans show off their ribbons at the awards ceremony after finishing second and third, respectively. Photo by Oliver Shedden

“All our athletes performed wonderfully and I am very proud of all of them.”

RLAC president Mel Haines also highlighted her joy in seeing the athletes mingle with their peers and encouraged community members to get involved in the upcoming summer.