CO-CURRICULAR 173 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 ATHLETICS & CROSS COUNTRY CAPTAIN Nathan Campbell Athletics & Cross Country Captain The below speech is from the Athletics and Cross Country presentation night given by Captain, Nathan Campbell. In Year 7, if someone had told me I’d be standing here giving this speech tonight, I would’ve laughed it off and not given it a second thought. Like many, I was a very average runner, ticking the cross-country box in Year 7 just ‘because’. I remember going to the first training session and looking up to the big, scary Year 12s, never considering that I would one day be in their position—let alone as captain. It was only in Year 11 that I began to see running as more than just a box to tick, slowly building consistency and training. That is the beauty of Athletics and Cross Country. As Coach Meaker would often remind the squad during his two years of coaching: “Running is the only sport where hard work and consistency beat talent every time. No one to blame, just you and the race.” I couldn’t have asked for a better season to finish with. It’s been great to finally see the numbers and the culture slowly returning after COVID, and as the years go on, the squad will only grow in involvement and success. We had a fantastic cross-country season, with most of the success coming from the younger age groups, showing great potential for the years to come and a good chance of soon ending Oakhill’s reign over the ISA Cross Country. The athletics season had the most involvement I’ve seen in recent years, with a stronger culture and dedication than ever before. Despite a somewhat late start to training, all the boys showed unrelenting dedication at both training sessions and the weekend carnivals, achieving an unending list of personal bests every week. Unfortunately, the squad was plagued with injuries, with many great athletes having to sit out of the ISA carnival. Although we weren’t at full strength, every single person gave everything they had on the track, in the field, and cheering in the stands. With the squad growing in size and strength each year, I’m confident SPC will regain the ISA title, and Mr Angelatos will have plenty of stories about it for years to come. I’d like to thank all the coaches for giving up their afternoons and mornings to provide guidance and help the squad reach its potential. I’m sure everyone here can attest to the impact you’ve had—not only as coaches but also as role models. None of what we do would be possible without the love and support of our parents. From waking up at 6:30 just to drop us off at cross-country training, to waiting around for hours at Saturday carnivals just to cheer us on or consoling us on the drive home after a disappointing race—you make it all possible. No athletics success happens without the dedication of our parents. A huge thanks also goes to Ms Simms, Mr Angelatos, Mr Boggs, and Mr Calavassy for organising training and entries into all these great competitions. Another big thank you to all the teachers who take time out of their Saturdays to help time events and run the athletics carnivals. The fantastic experience we get each year is only possible because of the culmination of your hard work and dedication to the squad. Finally, I’d like to thank the entire squad, particularly Vice Captain Xavier for providing leadership, guidance, and motivation for the sprinters, as well as my good friends Pat and Thomas for being role models for the team. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of boys to captain in my final year at the college. To all of you, I am truly thankful. I remind you all that one day you will be in my position, at the end of your last season. So, I encourage each of you to cherish every carnival, every training session, every race, every PB, and every laugh with your mates. Luceat Lux Vestra Andre Bilotta (Year 8) Alexander Gomesis (Year 7)
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