11 Roncallians accepted the daunting challenge of entering in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country on the 15/16 June. With over 800 athletes in attendance, this was a major national event, hosted in Timaru for the first time in 34 years.

Answering the call from the local organising committee to provide strong hometown support for the event, Roncalli had athletes wearing the blue and gold in all but one category. Whilst some had pedigree coming through the South Canterbury ranks competing at the Primary Schools Inter Regionals Cross Country in the past, none had really committed to the sport and utilised their fitness from other sports to feature strongly the Aoraki Cross Country Championships. 

With a heavy importance placed on supporting the committee that had brought the national event to Timaru, a strong contingent from Years 9 and 10 made up the bulk of the team. 

In a 3km race, notable for the outstanding winning run of home town girl Hannah Prosser (TGHS), the Junior Girls Team of Maya Hewson, Roshean O'Connor and spearheaded by a creditable run from Charli Nevin (who finished 47 out of 96) finished 10th in New Zealand.

In a true sense of South Canterbury togetherness, the home town was able to field Aoraki relay teams for the first time in years with Toby Taylor, Krishna Sridhar, Maya Hewson, Charli Nevin, James Eastmead and Jack Cotter being selected, Jack and Charli running the fastest laps for their respective teams.

Year 9 Girls (3km)- Monica MacDonald

Year 9 Boys (3km)- James Eastmead, Jack Cotter, Lim Gutierrez

Junior Girls (3km)- Maya Hewson, Roshean O'Connor, Charli Nevin

Junior Boys (4km)- Toby Taylor, Krishna Sridar, Logan Pannet

Senior Boys (6km)- Jayden Walker