Scotch College

Old Scotch Athletes break the drought

WORDS: MR JAMES CATHIE (’01)

The summer athletics season concluded with the club’s annual general meeting, which was attended by many past and present members, as well as the Principal Mr Tom Batty. The event included dinner and award presentations, after which we were fortunate to hear some entertaining anecdotes from Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett.

The winter cross–country season opened with the traditional Jamieson 5km run around the grounds of Scotch. The large turnout, particularly from our schoolboy athletes, saw our division 1 and 2 teams placing among the top three. This event is named in memory of Alexander August Jamieson (SC 1917-18) who died on 19 March 1979.

Our performance soon improved, with our division 1 team winning the Dyson Relay around the Tan. The team comprising Darcy Long (’05), James Atkinson (’83), Peter Simm (’93), Liam Magee (’92), Robert Schwerkolt and Scott Lawrence was the first Old Scotch team to win an Associated Public Schools Old Collegians event since 2002. So great was the achievement that team manager Mark Purvis (’75) was seen racing in the opposite direction, declaring the news to every Old Scotch runner he passed.

Strong performances followed at the 8km Hare and Hounds at Berwick, a typical cross country event with rain, mud, hills, paddocks and fences. The 10km Ken Orchard Memorial run at Albert Park saw Chris Taylor (’99) finish well, while Nick Wallace-Smith (’01) placed third on handicap in the Ken McPhail 8km run at Yarra Bend. The division 1 team just missed a top three placing in the 5.7km Geelong Relay along the Barwon.

The winter season continues, with a wide range of events still to be raced. The club welcomes competitors of every age and ability, and a registration form can be obtained from www.oldscotchaths.com.au or by contacting Mark Purvis on 9534 5105 or at mdpurvis@optusnet.com.au. GS