TEAM success means more to Haileybury College – Edrington Campus cross-country runner Charlie Rogers than individual glory.
Rogers, 10, from Narre Warren East, finished fifth at the state cross country championships last month at Bundoora and earned himself a spot in the School Sport Victoria under-12 cross country team.
He was thrilled to get fifth place knowing that it would earn him a place in the state team.
“That was pretty good – I had to train hard and practice well and try your hardest,” Rogers said.
“I came fifth out of about 100 kids – it was pretty good, but it was pretty cold.
“I was just really excited but puffed at the same time – I think it was about seven minutes and five seconds – it was a two-kilometre race.”
That cross country team will be heading over to Albany, Western Australia at the same time as Rogers’ basketball team – the Dandenong Rangers under-12s – head into their finals’ campaign.
Foregoing his spot on the Victorian squad was a tough decision, but Rogers wanted to do the right thing for his team mates and help them potentially earn a championship victory.
I don’t think I’m going to do it because I’ve got basketball finals,” Rogers said.
“We’re going really well and I’m the small forward.
“We’re already one man down on my team, so I kind of need to play.”
He also races for Knox Little Athletics Club and Rogers finished eighth in the Little Athletics cross country championships last week.
