SoE Cross Country - Young Athletes Round-up

20 WGEL athletes took to the start in U13-U17 age group races at Southern CC Champs on Saturday 29th January. Races were held in the beautiful undulating fields and wooded trails of Beckenham Place Park in Kent. Conditions were dry and mild.

In addition to individual competition the Southern has a four to score team event. Ahead of the race WGEL had eyes on team and individual medals in a number of age groups. However, injuries and sickness in week leading up to race led to depleted numbers and hampered preparation. However, undeterred the squad available assembled in good spirits and looking forward to the first major CC Championship of 2022.

Results: https://results.sporthive.com/events/6892422263981485568

U13 Girls - Race Report

WGEL had 7 girls in a total field of 200 athletes. 60 clubs competed with 17 clubs completing full teams (4 to score). The individual winner was the impressive Jemima Davey (Kettering Town Harriers) who ran the hilly 3km course in 11min 42s. Marshall MK AC took the team trophy. Individual Winners

1. Jemima Davey (Kettering) 2. Isla Hall (Jersey Spartan AC) 3. Katherine Haslip (Brighton Phoenix)

Team Winners 1. Marshall Milton Keynes AC 2. Chelmsford AC 3. Aldershot Farnham DAC

Natasha Wynn (9th) was first home for WGEL in 12min 05s. This was impressive run and a top ten finish in her first Southern CC Champs. Natasha was around the leaders for much of the race. Coming back from niggle, Natasha had only a couple of weeks of consistent training under her belt and she lost some ground on the hills in the later stages. However, it was still a fine run. Natasha was first Essex athlete home ahead of Daisy Stollery (11th) of Chelmsford AC. Next for WGEL was Autumn Le Chevalier-Jones (88th) in 13min 28s. Autumn was rightly pleased with her run. Particularly, as she finished with both shoes! Eliza Bridges (111th) was next home for WGEL in 13m 43s. This was a good run from Eliza who was left to rue a conservative start having finished very strongly. Faye Owers (130th) was right behind Eliza in 13mins 58s. Faye, like Autumn is lower age group U13 and had a good run on a demanding course. Faye closed WGEL A team in 11th place overall. Daisy Anderson (150th) opened WGEL B team in 14mins 13s. Daisy is new to club athletics but shows real signs of promise. WGEL team-mates Ella Traynor (169th) and Darcey Mackenzie (195th) were close behind and should both be pleased with their runs, their first in major championship race. Depleted numbers meant WGEL did not complete its B team.

U13 Boys – Race Report

U13 Boys ran 3km. WGEL had 3 athletes in total field of 165 athletes. 49 clubs competed with 17 clubs completing teams (4 to score). Jake Meybugh (Windsor & Hounslow) continued his impressive winter with victory. Meybugh finished in 10min 17s. Local team Blackheath & Bromley took the overall title.

Individual Winners 1. Jake Meyburgh (Windsor & Hounslow) 2. Lucas Elmquist (Blackheath & Bromley) 3. Caspian Holmes (Herne Hill Harriers)

Team Winners 1. Blackheath &Bromley 2. Brighton Phoenix 3. Windsor & Hounslow

First home for WGEL was Harry Stockill (54th) in 11min 58s. Harry was left disappointed with his overall position but will have learnt a lot from the experience and the importance of a fast start in Championship races with big fields. Next in for WGEL was Teddy Newson (91st) in 12mins 30s. This was Teddy best run this season, his first in a Championship race for WGEL. Teddy looked strong coming into finish, just ahead of team-mate Daniel Arnold (114th) who finished in 12mins 46s. Daniel and Teddy are both lower age group U13 and will be back stronger next year! Unfortunately, sickness depleted the boy’s numbers and WGEL team was incomplete.

U15 Girls – Race Report

U15 Girls ran 4.5km. WGEL had 4 athletes in a total field of 187. 52 clubs competed with 25 completing full teams (4 to score). Surrey County CC champion Katie Pye (Aldershot) continued her great winter taking individual gold in 14mins 59s. Local club Blackheath took the team title.

Individual Winners 1. Katie Pye (Aldershot) 2. Ella Davey (Windsor & Hounslow) 3. Grace Tuesday (Lewes AC)

Team Winners: 1. Blackheath & Bromley 2. Lewes AC 3. Windsor & Hounslow

WGEL athlete Abigail Reid (4th) ran a brave race. Abigail made a fast start following a pre-race favorite in Lyra MacDonald (VPTH). However, Macdonald had over done her start and later pulled out. Abigail dug in showing great determination in chasing the leaders. She held off a late challenge from Milly Dunger (5th) of Bedford AC to finish just seconds outside the medals. Molly Sherrin (35th) was next home for WGEL in 16min 09s. This was a fine run from Molly who is a great competitor over the country. Matilda Frith (109th) had a good Championship debut. Starting nervously, Matilda made her way through the pack. With team-mate Isabella Worwood (116th) right behind these two pushed each other on and took over 10 places in final 1km. It was great to see. They closed WGEL A team and finished 13th on the day.

U15 Boys - Race Report

U15 Boys ran 4.5km. WGEL had 5 athletes in field of 189 athletes. 66 clubs competed with 18 clubs completing full teams (4 to score). Kent County champion Alex Dack (Medway & Maidstone) took individual gold running 15mins 11s for the win. Chiltern Harriers took the team title.

Individual Winners 1. Alex Dack (Medway & Maidstone) 2. Owen Wallek (Brighton) 3. Sam Plumber (Colchester & Tendering)

Team winners 1. Chiltern Harriers 2. Cambridge & Cotteridge 3. Tonbridge AC

Oscar Farthing-Barbero (126th) was first home for WGEL in 18min 11s. This was a good run from Oscar in his first race over the country since National CC Relays in Mansfield in November. Behind Oscar were WGEL athletes Gregor Samson (145th), Joseph Arnold (164th), Patrick Hayden (168th) and Aidan O’Driscoll (178th). They closed WGEL A team in 17th place on the day. These boys did tremendously well particularly given Oscar and Gregor are often more at home on track and Joseph, Patrick and Aidan are new to Championship racing. On the day they faced a high quality field of experienced U15 athletes. They will have learnt a lot and will take it forward into their next races.

U17 Men – Race Report

U17 Men ran 6km. WGEL sole representative was Reuben Fabian (83rd). Reuben finished in 23min 08s. He was looking for top 50 finish but things did not go his way on the day. He was determined to put it behind himself after the race and get back to training and will be back! Edward Bird (Poole Ac) took Gold in the individual medals. His team mates ran well behind him to secure the team title in a clean sweep for Poole AC!