Met League 4: U15/U17 and overall summary
The rain was falling, the wind was blowing when the young athletes arrived at Stanborough Park for round four of the Met League series 2022/2023.
The course was wet and in places quite muddy following all the recent rain. This did not dampen the spirits of our youth runners who now hold a 10 point lead in the Howard Williams Junior Trophy over Shaftesbury. Barring a catastrophe in the final match the Juniors will be able to celebrate winning for the fifth season in a row.
Furthermore current standings across the age groups are as follows:
- Under 11 boys 3rd
- Under 11 girls 1st
- Under 13 boys 1st
- Under 13 girls 1st equal
- Junior Women 2nd
- Junior Men 2nd
These performances are not just down to our front runners - all our athletes have supported us throughout the season whatever their ability. They are all committed to the cause of supporting their club and we are proud of every single one of them.
U15/17 Boys
This race was over 4K and the lads were greeted by heavy rain soon after the start. At halfway four Woodies were in the top 12 all bunched together, including two bottom year Under 15 lads. Unfortunately at 2.4K the Harrow runner leading the race went straight through the funnel followed by all the 76 runners who finished the race. Although the lads won the race they were hard done by as all four lads may well have scooped top 6 had they ran the full distance. All looked very comfortable at halfway. Luka Norden led the boys home followed by Nate Harding 8th, Reuben Fabian 9th, and Harry Stockill 11th.
The organisers let the result stand as everyone had run the same distance. Next in after the four scoring boys was Aidan O’Driscoll 35th and 17th U15. Aidan is now really showing some improvement following good consistent training. Max Koschek was just behind Aidan in 38th and 19th U15. Max ran well and was looking good at the end. Godwinner Nkembani was 46th and 17th U17. This was not an ideal course for Godwinner but I am tipping him for a good track season. The other three lads that closed the Woodies in are such great club lads. What we do without their support!
Patrick Hayden 58th and 33rd U15, Joseph Arnold 65th and 38th U15, and Oliver Brown 66th and 39th U15. Well done to this squad of athletes who won on the day but lie 2nd overall.
U15/17 Girls
Over the 4K course, muddy and wet, our girls were led home by Bethan-Rose Davies. Bethan was 10th overall and 6th U15, and only 45 seconds behind race winner Lauren Russell who got bronze in the recent South Of England Inter Counties Under 17 race. Lauren was a clear winner of this race. Molly Sherrin, with her football called off, ran well for 11th and 7th U15. Tess Noblett has been regaining her full fitness and this resulted in another fine run, 20th overall and 13th U15 girl. Matilda Frith is another superb club athlete, always willing to support the club - she was 27th overall and 18th U15. Eliza Bridges is starting to regain full fitness with another good run of 30th and 20th U15. Ella Treynor, who is a bottom U15 runner, again excelled after her fine Essex run a week ago, finishing 32nd and 22nd U15. Emma Lord, superb club athlete seen at Lee Valley running with a new girl shortly joining WGEL on Thursday, was 43rd and 13th U17. Juliet Taylor, still fairly new to our sport, closed in our squad with 47th and 34th U15.
These results sum up our squad - always there to support the club regardless of their position. If we pull this overall result off at Trent Park on Saturday 4th all squad members should be hugely congratulated.