Eight Azorean students from the islands of Faial, Pico, São Miguel and Terceira participated last weekend, February 23 and 24, in the National Phase of the School Cross Country held in Algarve.
Miguel Rocha (Praia da Vitória Basic Education School) came in 22nd, place among 187 participants, in the male beginners’ category, with a time of 08m31s. This is one of the best scores achieved by the Azorean team participating in the School Cross Country competition that took place in Açoteias, municipality of Albufeira.
Diogo Ávila (Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School) came in 37th place, also in male beginners' category, with a time of 08m45s.
Margarida Garcia (Domingos Rebelo Secondary School) ranked 52th, among 181 participants, with a time of 08m09s, while Daniela Santos (São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School) ranked 81st with a time of 08m38s.
In the men's youth category, featuring 174 athletes in competition, Bruno Ávila (Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School) came in 46th place with a time of 13m17s. In turn, Diogo Ribeiro (Vitorino Nemésio Secondary School) came in 52nd place with a time of 13m24s.
As for the women's youth category, Inês Gonzaga (Domingos Rebelo Secondary School) ranked 76th with a time of 16m39s, while Tatiana Melo (Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School) ranked 121st (Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School) with a time of 17m31s.
The Azorean team included the accompanying teachers Ana Paula Pascoal (Domingos Rebelo Secondary School) and José Xavier Ávila (São Roque Basic Education and Secondary School).
Students had the opportunity to represent "their" school, "their" school community, "their" island and "their" Azores. The competition was another contribution of the Azores School Sport to the global development of "our" students and an important step in its path towards Success.