Chingford League Race 2 - Successful Start continues for WGEL Athletes
On Saturday 2nd October WGEL U11-U13 squads gathered in Dagenham Central Park to compete in Race 2 of Chingford League. The first race was held on tarmac at Redbridge Cycle Centre (Hog Hill). This race was run on tarmac paths, but also featured long stretches of grass fields with a mini wooded section.
The squad had performed excellently in the season’s opener at Redbridge. WGEL took first place in Girls U15, U13 and U11 races (Matilda Frith, Faye Owers and Eva Prince) on that day with the boys finishing second in U15 and U13 races (Patrick Hayden and Harry Stockhill) and fourth in U11 (Eric Frith) race.
Ahead of this race they had been joined by lots of team mates trying cross country for first time after training with the U11 and U13 squads over the summer. In fact, WGEL had 58 athletes (U11/U13) in a total field of 75 and they were all in good spirits despite the wet conditions!
Race Report – U13 Athletes
The junior race was staggered with U13s (boys and girls) going off first. The course was 2km and largely flat. This led to a fast race. First home in U13 Boys race were WGEL athletes Harry Stockhill and Daniel Arnold. It was a great run from them. Daniel led most of the way, but Harry stayed in contention and using his speed in the final 50m caught up with Daniel on the line. With nothing to separate them at the finish, they were both awarded joint 1st place. Oliver Brown followed up his good run in the first race with another third place, and with the winner from race one (Luke Bennett – Orion) missing it was a comprehensive 1, 2, 3 from WGEL. Special mention also to Thomas Niewczasinski-Kirkland. He is more accustomed to track and field athletics these days, but keen to keep his toes in the endurance pool and ran well for fourth place.
In U13 Girls race, Autumn Le-Chevalier Jones opened her winter season in style with an accomplished run. Autumn won the U13 Girls race, 10 seconds ahead of second placed Pia Trautmansdorf (Orion). This was Trautmansdorf second runner up spot. On this evidence she will be contending for individual medals. Eliza Bridges (3rd) was next home for WGEL. Eliza was disappointed not to grab second, but this was another solid run only 5 seconds behind Trautmansdorf. Amber Higgs-Smith completed WGEL top three, finishing fourth. Amber’s consistency in training is really starting to pay off. Special mention should go to Isla Fulling, who on her first outing in a WGEL vest finished fifth. Isla was well supported by team mates Eva Whetham and Darcey Mackenzie also running their first races. Eva was sixth and Darcy 8th.
WGEL Results (U13 Boys) 1. Harry Stockhill & Daniel Arnold (=1st) 3. Oliver Brown (4th)
Squad: Thomas N-K (4th), Stephen NG (6th), Zac Everitt (10th)Oz Nochi (12th) and Leo Everitt (14th)
WGEL Results (U13 Girls) 1. Autumn L-C (1st) 2. Eliza Bridges (3rd) 3. Amber Higgs-Smith (4th)
Squad: Isla Fulling (5th), Eva Whetham (6th) and Darcey Mackenzie (8th)
Race Report – U11 Athletes
In the U11 Boys race, WGEL athlete Eric Frith improved on fourth place finish in the first race to take victory in race two! Eric led a good group of young WGEL athletes through the course. Rory Willis (London Heathside) the winner from race was missing and WGEL took full advantage. Packing well at the front of the race Oskar Prince (2nd) and Toby Taylor (4th) pushed Eric to the end and made it three home in the top four for WGEL. Special mention should go to all the first time runners, including Okkie Lee who finished 6th, Henry Richards 7th and Edward Sheridan in 12th
The U11 Girls race was won by WGEL athlete Emily Mathias. Emily is a great competitor. This was a fine run, her first in a WGEL vest, after a year training with our WASPS. Right behind Emily was fast improving Zoe Wright. These two play football together and will have been spurred on by that friendly rivalry! WGEL athlete Eva Prince completed a WGEL 1,2,3 and backed up her fine first place in race one. Again, special mention goes to all our new runners competing for the first time since graduating out of WASPS. In particular young Megan Williams, Grace Cherry, Lydia Sneath, Hannah Richards and Maia Lalani. All have suffered from nerves in past but this time flew around the course to finish with huge smiles. The talent and positivity amongst this young group is phenomenal!
Top 3 Boys (U11): 2. Eric Frith (1st) 3. Oskar Prince (2nd) 4. Toby Taylor (4th)
Squad: Okkie Lee (6th), Henry Richards (7th), CJ Bediako (8th), Jack Arnold (10th), Vincent Kinman (11th), Edward Sheridan (12th), Elijah Waterfield (13th) and Harry Mcnally (14th)
Top 3 Girls (U11) 1. Emily Mathias (1st) 2. Zoe Wright (2nd) 3. Eva Prince (3rd)
Squad: Marissa Higgs-Smith (5th), Mayowa Alake (6th), Gracie Fayinka (7th), Sofia Sneath (8th), Lydia Sneath (9th), Isla Barron (10th), Grace Cherry (11th), Bridey Kelly (12th), Bianca Matos (14th), Hannah Richards (15th), Megan Williams (17th), Alice Mackenzie (19th) and Maia Lalani (20th)
Race Report - U15 Athletes There were no U15 athletes competing for WGEL with Matilda Frith, winner of U15 Girls race one and Patrick Hayden, second in U15 Boys race missing as resting ahead of London Mini Marathon the following day. They will be keen to be back in Race 3 at the Olympic Velodrome (October 20th)