St. John Catholic School makes it 21 city cross country championships in a row
By ERIN HOOD
St. John Catholic School on Kingston Road has wrapped up its 2024 cross country season, not only cleaning up on team and individual medals, but finishing as the city champions for the 21st year in a row.
Leading up to their first meet, more than 160 St. John Eagles in Grades 2 to 8 practiced daily from the beginning of the school year until the day of their last race on Oct. 23.
The Eagles first meet was on Oct. 1 at Ted Reeve Park where the school hosted its annual St. John Eagle Classic run. This event was developed to increase inclusivity and safety among runners instead of them having to race on the road for their spot on the school team as they had to in previous years.
The meet mimicked a real cross country race with marshals, walk throughs, refreshments, awards, and parent spectators to give the newer participants the feel of a legitimate race day.
“There were 155 kids who ran and only 95 that could compete at Divisionals. So, 60 more kids were able to have the experience of a cross country race than how we did it previously,” said Patrick Breech, St. John Eagles cross country team head coach.
On Oct. 8, 95 St. John runners headed to Earlscourt Park to compete in their second meet, known as the TCDSB (Toronto Catholic District School Board) Divisionals, where they outdistanced their opponents, placing first in the district.
Just over a week later, 78 St. John runners returned to Earlscourt Park to compete in the TCDSB South Regionals where they ran away with overall team gold medal. From the South Regionals, 49 St. John runners advanced to to the City Championships at Earl Bales Park, the final meet of the year, where the Eagles were once again crowned as overall team champions.
At the City Championships, St. John’s Grade 3 girls team, the Grade 7 boys and the Grade 8 boys teams won gold medals. The Grade 5 boys team were silver medallists, and the Grade 5 and Grade 8 girls teams earned bronze medals.
Individually at the City Championships, Lyle R and Benji T won gold medals while Fiona W and Rafaella E earned bronze medals.
Following closely behind came Lane C in fourth; Eamon F in sixth; Logan N in seventh; Arianne M, Eden M, and Tavian C in eighth; Spencer S in ninth; and Jack M in 10th.
The Eagles are looking forward to the 2025 cross country season where they hope to continue their winning streak, potentially leaving as city champions for the 22nd year in a row.
