GPS cross country 2020: Brisbane State High School win historic GPS cross country title

Brisbane State High School won a historic victory in the 50th running of the annual GPS cross country championship. State High claimed the senior title while St Joseph’s Nudgee College won the junior championship.

Brisbane State High School executive principal Wade Haynes with cross country leaders celebrating the win. Picture: Lizel Moore

Brisbane State High School has claimed a historic victory in the 50th running of the annual senior GPS cross country championship.

While State High claimed the senior title, St Joseph’s Nudgee College celebrated victory in the junior championship.

Brisbane State High School won the senior championship. Picture Lizel Moore.

BSHS Head of Extra-Curricular Activities Matt Langmack said it was an euphoric day for the BSHS community and for master in charge of cross country, Lachlan Morris, an old boy who returned to the school to teach and oversee cross country.

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Langmack said the victory was also a triumph for the students who continued to train during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier in the year not knowing if the competition would proceed.

Ipswich Grammar School win the 16 years. Picture: Lizel Moore

“They kept their focus and motivation toward the big day. It is a credit to the boys and it shows what we are about with the culture of school,’’ Langmack said.

Brisbane State High School were senior winners

He said it was also a day of celebration for the GPS sporting community given previous doubts around the championship proceeding.

“It is exciting for all the schools to be out there having a go and it was exciting for us to win,’’ Langmack said.

Runners jockey for positions in the 12 years. Pic Lizel Moore.

BSHS set up the victory with winning team performances in the 13 years and 14 years age groups, and second placings in the 15 years and 16 years.

Cross country junior winners, Nudgee College. Picture: Lizel Moore

The senior boys held it together to finish fifth which was enough to get BSH over the line by just five points. “The boys were ecstatic.

“We have finished second on a number of occasions and got close, but it all came together on the day,’’ Langmack said.

BGS's Harry Chapman wins the open event. Pic: Lizel Moore.

In the seniors BSHS beat Brisbane Boys College, followed by Gregory Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School.

Brisbane Grammar School in action at the GPS cross country. Pic: Lizel Moore.

In the juniors, Nudgee College pipped Churchie followed by Gregory Terrace and Ipswich Grammar School.