Australian Cross Country: Emerging Juniors Khushi Deol and Seth Mahony

In our second article of emerging stars from last weekend’s National Cross Country Championships we highlight Khushi Deol and Seth Mahony who recorded surprise wins in the under-17 and under-18 events respectively. Both had finished outside the top-10 last year.

U17 WOMEN 4km – Khushi Deol VIC

What an amazing progression we have seen from Victorian Khushi Doel over the last 12 months. Last year in Adelaide she placed 12th, 84 seconds behind the winner, then this year she wins the Australian under-17 women’s 4km cross country title.

She recalled her race plan for this year.

“My initial plan was to stick with the lead group for as long as I could. However, the heat and hill made me cautious on the day, so instead, I just wanted to keep energy in reserve and most importantly, make best use of the rolling hills.”

She was as far back as 15th on the first lap and well into the second lap she had moved up to 9th.

“I was nervous during the first few kilometres that I hadn't got a quick start, there were moments where I was stuck behind people and saw the lead pack slowly run away.

“Coming around for our second lap, I had taken some wide corners and found myself in a really good position and still feeling fresh. Using this feeling, I kept increasing my pace, passing girls.”

With 1km remaining, by the time she reached the hill at the back of the course, Deol had moved into the lead group of seven, which included two World Cross country representatives including dual triathlon/XC international Aspen Anderson.

“At the hay bales, I just decided to get in front for a bit. It was here that it dawned on me that I had a chance to win. I saw over my shoulder that I was still coming first and I was elated coming over that line.”

She clocked 13:59 minutes to defeat ACT’s Zoe Honeybrook (14:01) and Queensland’s Kayah Anderson (14:06), both who finished on the podium last year. A magnitude of the outstanding performance is she defeated all the older under-18 athletes in the race.

“I had hopes of perhaps breaking into the top 10 this year, never even considering that I might win.

“Winning at Stromlo was surreal, and it hasn't fully sunk in, but it's satisfying to know that all of my training runs in the dark, in the cold, in the mornings, and at night have all paid off at just the perfect time. I attribute my success to Tim O’Shaughnessy, my coach, all of my friends in my training squad, and to my family who have supported me so much, helped me become mentally stronger, and assisted me to travel everywhere seven days a week to enable me to train and race.”

Doel also considers a different approach has helped.

“A big difference this year in my running was having fun. Even though consistency probably played a bigger part, I ran my best this season during All Schools Relays with my friends, and at all of my APS XC school rounds when I wasn't stressing myself out over results.”

The year 10 Wesley College student started athletics when she was six. “Because my older brother was very passionate about running, and motivation to continue running comes easily when my brothers and sister run too. I have had the most fun this season, so I plan to stick with it and just see where athletics takes me.”

U18 MEN 6km – Seth Mahony QLD

Queensland’s Seth Mahony has made similar progression from last year as our other profiled athlete Khushi Doel. Mahony was 13th last year in Adelaide, 92 seconds behind the leading Aussie over the line.

This year Mahony was always in the lead group, overcoming what he described as a ‘terrible start’. Mid-race the pack numbered as many as 10 athletes. The move came at the 4km mark. 

“Paddy (Padraig Heffernan) and I broke away up the hill on the final lap, roughly 2km to go. We then went stride for stride until I broke away on the last corner after the hay bale jumps and it was a sprint finish,” recalled Mahony 

“I was worried when Paddy regained the lead on the downhill as I was pretty tired and my goal from there was to hang on and wait for a sprint finish.” 

It certainly was a close finish, with Mahoney claiming victory by one second from Heffernan 18:38 to 18:39 minutes. They defeated the leading athletes from 2022 Kiwi Elliot Pugh and NSW’s Jade Kitching.

Mahony was elated with his win.

“It means a lot and feels amazing. I was able to execute my coach (Jayden Russ) race plan, backed with the last 4 to 5 months of focused training and my coaches guidance has all led to this moment. I have had wanted to win a national cross country title since I came third on the very same course in under-10 nationals in 2016.”

But there was no celebrating for Mahony who had to leave before the medal ceremony to make it back to Brisbane for his Year 12 formal.

He started his journey in athletics in the under-6s at Little Athletes to fill in his time during the Rugby League off season. In the last few years, he has been a regular National medallist over 1500m and 3000m.

By David Tarbotton, Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/8/2023