A-cross the Universe (Cross Country)

Two weeks ago the girls participated in a school event, House Cross Country. Everyone in the school is divided into one of four Houses. Red is Warren, Green is Gaze, Blue is Mitchell, and Yellow is Dunlop. Normally the kids wear uniforms to school, but for this event they were encouraged to dress in house colors.

 That morning we were at school early, as Alanna had Drum Corp practice. Drum Corps is an amazing opportunity available to the Year 5's and 6's at here school, and I will be posting more about this later. The pic below is kind of fun as they are all in colorful clothes, marching around the field at 8 in the morning. Alanna says-The guy in the black suit, Mr.Hood, is the drill sergeant leader of the corps. Dad thinks he's great. Mr.Hood yells at us, calls us pathetic when we don't do well, and he calls me California Girl, California Dreaming, or sometimes just California. Heh heh heh. Apparently some previous Drum Corps have received offers to play at many special events-even in Scotland!! Mr. Hood is funny though.  He calls himself gorgeous, and has all sorts of funny stories like when some Drum Corps were marching and the dye on their shirts ran and they looked like Smurfs! So even though everyone dreads being late and getting yelled at, it's all good fun!!

Two sets of sisters, getting ready to race

Friends!

For the event, students raced against kids of their own age and gender. The 11- and 12-year olds each ran 3 k, while the 8, 9, and 10 year olds ran 2k.

Alanna lining up with the 11 year olds

And she's off

The home stretch

Checking out the competition

Last few feet, er, meters, still smiling

Finish line

Eighth Place! Friend named Nattali on right.

The top eight finishers automatically qualify for Districts, so she was very excited. She doesn't do running per se, but I think her basketball training and swim squad gave her good conditioning.

Aliya's group was much larger, because it was for all girls turning 9 and 10 anytime this year.

8, 9 and 10 year olds

Aliya was stuck at the back, but eventually broke free

Second lap, still smiling

Running hard, not so happy!

Home stretch

Her teacher hands her her place card

5th place!

Her good friend came in 4th

 Aliya qualified for Districts as well. She was so determined to do well, and she did. I have no idea of her time, but given that she doesn't run, I think she did amazingly well to place 5th. Like Alanna, she has built up her conditioning and endurance from swimming and basketball. I think we need to do a 5K fun run.
Speaking of sports, now seems like as good a time as any to  fill you in on basketball, especially since the season has come to an end. Last Sunday Aliya's team played in the reserve Grand Final, and came away with a win! 

It was a tough season, with three girls having never played before. We had a 6th player, but she moved in January, which meant that the girls got a lot of playing time and the coach never had to worry about substituting!
Later that night, we attended Presentation Night, where the girls get participation medals and various awards, and coaches get their presents, etc.

Aliya and coach Sally

 Alanna's team just made it to 4th spot on the ladder, earning a playoff spot. Unfortunately, they lost to a team who just happened to be coached by the coach of AFL's Richmond Tigers. You can see why Alanna does a lot of the rebounding for her team!

 We were excited when Alanna was given the Coach's Award by her coach.

A great end to a great season. We've already signed up the girls for their third (Alanna)  and fourth (Aliya) seasons, which start in two weeks.