Varallo, Wardle, open X-C season with race victories

STRATHROY, Ont. - Makayla Varallo of Thorndale won the junior girls race at the Strathroy Saints Invitational, the 2026 opening cross country meet for Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) schools.

Varallo finished the race 37 seconds ahead of second place teammate Kingsley Collins, leading Medway High to the junior girls team title, at the meet hosted at Strathroy District Collegiate (SDCI).

St. Joseph's Rams Kian Wardle won his first high school race, taking the novice boys four kilometre event featuring 96 runners, in 10 minutes and 39 seconds (10:39.0).

Central Elgin Titans Joseph Robinson crossed the finish line second in the para race.

In novice girls, Dorchester Beavers Sophia Smith placed eighth and St. Joseph's Rams Della Berg, 10th.

St. Joseph's Rams Michal Hejna just missed the top 10 in junior boys, placing 11th.

Same for Rams teammate Sjyah Didyk in senior girls.

Dorchester Beavers Curtis Willick was ninth in senior boys.

St. Joseph's Rams Andie Spicer placed 14th in junior girls, while Central Elgin Titans Ace Eskritt was 15th, in novice girls.

Schools from Sarnia and Stratford, joined teams from Thames Valley.

SDCI hosts the Tri-County championships October 22, followed by WOSSAA, October 29.