Jesse and Emma in front of Hoover Dam. The duo returned on Thursday October 1, from their 16 day tour.
The Manwarings have returned! Murrumburrah High students Jesse 14, and Emma 15, have made it back to the sunny shores of Harden Murrumburrah, after 16 days on tour in the United States. The cousins, who both have a talent for running, competed in 3 separate events at Mopa Valley, Coronado High School and Foothill High school in Pleasanton, California. Jesse said “We did about 3 days of light training before our first competition, it took a little while to acclimatise to the hot weather.” Each of the races was 5 kilometres in length which according to Jesse isn’t his favourite distance. “ I much rather 10 kilometres and further, but I was happy with my results.” Jesse came 3rd from fifty students in the 14-18 category, meaning he was racing against much older teenagers. In his second event, he came 12th from a larger group and in his final event he placed in 24th position from approximately 300 students. “The coaches gave some good advice that improved my running, I met some great kids. In between competitions Emma and I saw the Grand Canyon, a meteor crater and the Hoover Dam.” Jesse said he feels more independent after travelling over to the US with 20 of his fellow countymen. “I would defintely recommend the trip and wish I was still on it.” After representing at state since Year 2, the 14 year old now wants to make a run at the national titles. “I will start training more now and see where it takes me,” he said. Away from running Jesse likes playing soccer and touch football.
Emma has added another credit to her long list of achievements this year. In her first race, Emma placed first out of 25 participants and came sixth in her second race. She ran 5 km in 21:39 before coming 27th out of 136 in the 14/15/16 age group. “It was definitely worth it and there was a big emphasis on sight seeing as well.” Emma also starred for the Hawkettes League tag side which made it to the Grand Final, as well as being a member of the Under 15 NSW soccer side, which won the national championships. She also played in the Light Horse touch football side which made the Grand Final earlier this year. “I will keep playing touch on the social side of things and continue with athletics and soccer. I would like to make a ladies state league side in 2016 and I hope to make a side in Sydney.” “It was good to get home and I was a bit jet lagged, but it has given me a taste for travel. I didn’t like the food that much I just lived off pasta. The 1.5 litre super size cokes aren’t very good for athletes,” she added.
