Octagon Pond students among Newfoundland’s fleetest

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 32 No. 30 (Oct. 9, 2019)

A number of young athletes from Octagon Pond Elementary have tallied impressive standings during the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association (NLAA) cross-country running School Series.

The Paradise school collectively placed first out of first 14 schools in the Boys 2019 category for all three NLAA meets.

During the Sept. 23 Meet, Octagon Pond students Theo Tocknell, 9, and Luke Fahey, 9, placed second and third respectively out of over 150 competitors in the Boys 2010 category. Some 36 students in total participated from the school.

During the Sept. 28 meet, Tocknell placed second once again, while Ryder Mugford, 9, placed third in the Boys 2010 category. Taitt Dobbin, 11, placed third in the Boys 2008 category. Some 39 students from the school participated the second week.

And during the final meet on Oct. 5, Tocknell again placed second in his category, while Ella Meade placed third in the Girls 2009 category.

“In preparation, we practice once a week during the event, in the gym and around the school and on the Octagon Pond Trail,” said Octagon Pond teacher Sarah Costello. “Students are invited and encouraged to attend practices, whether they are able to participate in the weekend races or not.

We try to instill a love of running and being active in our students, but also encourage to join so they can be a part of a team, which fosters a great sense of community within our school.”