Bairnsdale’s Bianca Croucher and Toorloo Arm’s Sebastian Ethridge represented Victoria on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, August 25, at the 2018 School Sports Australia cross country championships.

The pair competed in the under 14 age group with Ethridge making his debut, while Croucher notched her fourth appearance.

The pair is coached by Gippsland Track Club’s Dennis Huffer, who couldn’t be prouder.

“Bianca has always had a lot of talent and with her it was a matter of slowly progressing,” he said.

“Sebastian has seen improvements pretty quickly and it’s all about training their technique so they can run as smooth and relaxed as possible.

“We try to teach them to run tall and as little movement of the upper body as possible.”

David has coached Bianca for many years but Sebastian is a different story.

“I’ve been coaching Bianca since she was nine years old and she trains two to three times a week in Sale with me,” he said.

“She has represented the state many times but she is more of a track runner in events such as the 800m and 1500m events.

“She is regarded as one of the best junior runners in Victoria.

“I noticed Sebastian at Toorloo Arm and thought he had a lot of talent so I encouraged him to come along to a training session.

“He has got a really good engine and has a lot of potential.”

Both Croucher and Ethridge competed well in the championship with Croucher finishing 36th in the under 14 3km girls event and Ethridge 22nd in the under 14 boys 3km event.

With plenty of running knowledge, Huffer knew the pair was ready as they did a lot of hard work preparing.

“I told them to make sure they get away quick from the starting line and to make sure they get set in a good position,” he said.

“You are always looking to be in the top 10 and it is no good if they run by themselves as you should always be looking to run in groups.”

Huffer believes that both have a long career ahead of them.

“I think that both of the kids have a very bright future in the sport,” he said.
In March this year Croucher competed in the National Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.

She was 12 years old at the time and competed in the 1500m event.

Bianca obliterated the national qualifying time of five minutes with an outstanding time of 4.48.72 at the State Junior Athletics Championships at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium, shaving 14 seconds off her best time and winning the silver medal in a very strong field.

Bianca runs approximately 35 kilometres every week and trains two to three times a week.

Croucher has represented Victoria before, competing three years ago in the 800m event in Canberra, while attending Lucknow Primary School.

PICTURED: Bianca Croucher, of Bairnsdale, and Sebastian Ethridge, of Toorloo Arm, represented Victoria at the 2018 School Sports Australia cross country championships on the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.