APSOC + Athletics Victoria — Two Final Races, Two Premierships, One Mighty Club
This wrap‑up covers the final APSOC and AV races of the 2026 Winter XCR season — Cooke‑McClelland and the Tan Relays — and then looks ahead to the Summer AVSL season beginning 17 October. Scroll for results, highlights, thank‑yous, and what’s coming next.
After five months of hills, mud, relays, road races, cheering squads, multi‑generational families running together, and the unmistakable hum of red‑and‑black energy, Old Xaverians has officially closed the Winter XCR season on a high.
APSOC Finale — Cooke‑McClelland (29 Aug)
The hills of Kew Boulevard and Yarra Bend delivered a brilliant finish to the APSOC season.
Old Xavs claimed both the Open Division Premiership and the Women’s Division Premiership, sealing a dominant winter campaign.
Highlights included:
- Simon Holt (Holty) — fastest Old Xav, 3rd overall, and completing every APSOC race to earn APSOC Spartan status for 2026.
- Annabelle Colman — a commanding Women’s race win and the handicap win, leading the Xaverinas in style.
- Strong depth across all teams, reflecting months of commitment, consistency and club spirit.
A huge thank you to all concerned for steering the APSOC squad to two premierships — an outstanding achievement. Just look at how proud our Men's and Women's teams are pictured with the winning trophies for Cross Country Season 2026
AV XCR Finale — Tan Relays (12 Sep)
The iconic Tan Relays wrapped up the AV winter season with fast laps, fierce competition and standout individual performances.
Individual Highlights
- Josh Llano‑Machado — 12:39
- Laurie Tod — 12:41
- Zac Taylor — 13:54 (backing up after school Div Aths)
- Annabelle Colman — 13:14 (fastest Xaverina)
- Georgia Powning — 14:20
- Tim Tyers — 13:08 (anchor leg in Div 3)
- Carlo Manolitsas — 14:43 (fastest in Div 5)
These performances were emblematic of the whole winter: committed, competitive, and full of heart.
Team Results Highlights
- Men’s Division 3
A head‑to‑head battle with Mentone to avoid relegation. Our men ran bravely and finished 9th, but Mentone’s depth saw them home in 5th. We’ll regroup and return stronger in Division 4 next winter. - Men’s Division 5
Strong effort across the team, finishing 11th. - Women’s Division 2 — Xaverinas
Consistent and competitive all season, finishing 6th at the Tan. - Women’s Division 4 — Xaverinas
Another solid performance with a 6th place finish. - Women’s 40+ — Xaverinas
A story of grit and heart. After injuring her foot mid‑week, Josita Hicks withdrew… then re‑entered on race morning, deciding her foot was “not 100% but up for 3.8 km”. Her courage completed the team and kept the Xaverinas streak alive — finishing 6th.
Well done again for a great AV season.
A Winter Powered by People
Across APSOC and AV, this season has been defined by:
- high participation
- multi‑generational families running together
- diversity of ages and abilities
- men and women supporting each other across programs
- athletes, supporters, officials and photographers working as one team
To everyone who ran — whether once or every round — thank you. To everyone who helped, organised, drove, cheered, set up, packed down — thank you. And a special tribute to Dave (Club President), Deeks (Club Coach), and to club helpers on race day Marg, Richard, Eamon and Chris, and Matt for capturing the magic through the lens all season
This is Old Xavs. This is red‑and‑black magic.
Hello Summer — AVSL Track & Field Starts 17 October
With winter officially wrapped, we now turn our eyes to the AVSL Summer Season, beginning Saturday 17 October.
Old Xaverians competes in Division 4, with men and women united as one team. After winning the Division 5 Premiership in 2023–24 and finishing 3rd overall in both of the last two summers, we’re ready to chase:
- promotion to Division 3,
- big point hauls,
- and maybe even a Summer Premiership.
Everybody is welcome — all ages, all abilities, all backgrounds.
Whether you’re a seasoned track athlete or stepping onto the track for the first time, AVSL is fun, friendly and inclusive. Interested - then Contact Us
Regards from the Winter Team Captain - Christine Williams. Remember.. Run Happy!!