Met League 1: Under 15/17
A total of 23 athletes turned out in the Under 15/17 races contributing to an overall 11 points lead in the overall Howard Williams Junior trophy.
The conditions underfoot were good on a mild October afternoon. Both races were over 4.2k and took in a small loop of 1500 metres before undertaking a larger 2.7k loop including a big hill in the wooded part of the course.
Under 17 girls
Abigail Reid, the day after her district trials, led our team home in first place running a sound 16 minutes flat for the course. In third place was Kezia Beeton who is now returning to her best form following joining a netball academy last month. Kezia returned 16 mins 16. One place further back was Emily Caton with 16 mins 21. Emily was having breathing problems in the latter part of the second loop so her result was a fine one indeed.
What would our club do without such stalwarts as Emma Lord (17th: 20 mins 51 secs) and Isabella Worwood (19th 21 mins 30 secs)? They are such great supporters of our club.
Under 15 girls
Unfortunately we had three of our top runners unavailable due to very valid reasons, but it was great to see the support of six other runners. Matilda Frith (17 mins 58 sec) led the team home in 16th place. This fine run followed an excellent victory last Wednesday at the Chingford League. Just twelve seconds behind Matilda was Tess Noblett, gradually getting back to her best form. 17th Eliza Bridges was 6 places further back in 19 mins 04 secs, just two places ahead of Ella Traynor who, like Matilda, ran well at the. Velopark the previous Wednesday. On her Met League debut Juliet Taylor was 26th in 19 mins 35 secs. Darcy Mackenzie was 37th in 24 mins 44 secs.
Teamwise, overall the girls placed 1st with 192 points with the B team 9th with 85 points. This was a fine result considering we had three top runners unavailable.
Under 17 men
Despite being in the middle of a strength and conditioning programme which is restricting Jimmy Geller’s anaerobic work, Jimmy still toed the line and was first Woodie home in 14 mins 01 sec for the 4200 metre course in 3rd place, some 30 seconds behind the winner, Ward from Herts Phoenix. Close up was Nathan Wright, having a very good run despite having raced the borough champs the day before, in 14 mins 08 secs, some 16 seconds quicker than last year. Next home was Nate Harding, gradually getting back to his best in 10th place in 15 mins 20 secs, some 7 seconds up on last year. Godwinner Nkembani showed improved form, finishing 25th in 16 mins 58 secs, with Vladiniis Kalinins 26th in 17 mins 08 secs.
Under 15 boys
First home was fairly new recruit Luka Norden in 7th place from nearly 50 runners in 15 mins 12 secs. Luka and Harry Stockill, who was next home in 12th in 15 mins 39 secs, are both bottom year runners and will both improve as the season continues. Oliver Brown, another bottom year U15, placed 19th in 16 mins 08 secs, following on from an excellent 5k the previous Wednesday at the Velopark . Yet another bottom year, Jonathon Ghebretinsae, placed a solid 20th in 16 mins 14 secs. Good runs from Max Koschek (32nd: 17 mins 01 secs), Patrick Hayden (35th: 17 mins 09 secs), Aidan O’Driscoll (34th: 17 mins 07 secs), and Joseph Arnold (36th: 17 mins 14 secs) closed our squad in.
Overall the boys placed 1st with 279 points, and the B team was 8th with 151 points.
In recent English Schools cup competitions WGEL have had some fine individual results:
At Coopers Campian school
Natasha Wynn 2nd Inter girls
Reuben Fabian 2nd Senior boys
At Hornchurch
Abigail Reid 2nd Senior Girls
Bethan Rose Davies 2nd Inter Girls
Luka Norden 2nd Inter Boys