Essex Schools XC Champs Writtle Sat 21st Jan

Athletes on this occasion were representing their districts.The morning although sunny was bitterly cold whilst the course was heavily frozen in many parts and badly rutted in places too.It was a case of “stay on your feet” for our athletes

The fields were not that large,about 60/65 in each race but the quality up front was outstanding.Junior Girls winner Forrest,Junior Boys winner Rowe,Inter Boys winner Plummer and Inter Girls winner Belshaw are all very likely to be top 8/10 in the English Schools in March.

It was a good day for WGEL as five athletes gained automatic selection for the English Schools in March at Nottingham and twelve athletes(including the five) gained selection for Essex in the South East of England Schools Inter Counties next month

Junior Boys

Luka Norden has improved beyond all recognition in the last 10 months since joining WGEL An example of this is Feb last year Luka placed 32nd in the Essex Schools Year 8 champs some 2 minutes 15 behind winner Freddie Rowe. Last Saturday he cut that to just 34 seconds in placing 5th gaining selection for both championship races. Behind Luka, Harry Stockill has likewise made great strides in the last year. At halfway on Saturday he was around 10th but really pushed through well for 6th for automatic selection for both races alongside his training partner. hese lads are a great credit to WGEL and their journey is not finished yet by any means. Their coach will now focus on getting these two lads ready for the English Schools in March. WGEL did have two other runners,both year 8s which was tough for them. Sprinter Callum Clydesdale placed 40th with Rahul Solanki in 50th.

Junior Girls

Bethan - Rose Davies has gone through a growth spurt in recent weeks and this has understandably affected her form. Saturday saw Bethan take another step forward as she placed 5th alongside Hetty Harrison who was given 4th both girls recording the same time. Bethan was happy with both selections and being only 40 seconds behind winner Forrest. It was nearly 80 seconds two weeks ago. We must here feel sorry for Natasha Wynn.  She was tracking Bethan all the way until 200 metres to go, when tight quads forced her to retire. Next in and probably the run of the day was Tess Noblet a brilliant 11th place gaining her first Essex colours. Tess will now strive to try and grab one of the two remaining places for the English Schools at Inter Counties next month. Tess is very committed to regular training and her excellent results is a credit to her. Next in is our West Essex Schools champion Evie-Mae Mosanya who only started training with us 10 days ago Evie ran really well for 27th just over a minute down on the leading 8. Evie will formslly join WGEL next month I’m sure. Right behind Evie was Faye Owers, only year 8 but a good solid run from another great club girl Two places further back was Ella Traynor again enjoying her first full XC season with us. 300 metre runner Daisy Anderson stepped in to the country for West Essex on placing 40th Daisy is working hard to improver her times next summer.

Inter Boys

Nate Harding is gradually getting back to his best after injury and was in a loaded field probably the toughest of the day. Never the less Nate gained 13th which gave him his first Essex vest this season which is much deserved.

Inter Girls

The winner Lyla Belshaw,England Schools international from last year was a good winner 45 seconds in front of the next girl. Emily Caton, enjoying a very good season was only 30 seconds behind 2nd and this gave her 5th and her first England Schools call up. Summer Maw was unlucky just to miss out on County selection for a fine run in 24th place and Izzy Worwood, like Emily is right in the middle of exams but took time out to run and place 49th Izzy was a much deserved winner of a recent Jack Petchey award.

Senior Girls

Being in a netball academy seems to have had no adverse effect on Kezia Beeton who is enjoying another fine season over the country. Kezia running for Barking and Dagenham was always in the second group of four behind the winner from Colchester and finished up 5th securing her 4th English Schools XC Kezia will no doubt feature in our National League teams in Premier League this summer that’s for sure as her track PBS are due to be rewritten.

Senior Boys

We had five Woodies on the start line and they all made the Inter Counties next month. Jimmy Geller not even half fit was only 40 odd seconds behind winner Steadman in 8th place a great run in the circumstances. Nathan Wright was next 12th he too recovering from a nasty virus that took him out of the Essex Champs two eeeks ago.  Next in and one place behind was Reuben Fabian 13th a really good effort as Reuben has been suffering from breathing problems which are being addressed as best as possible. Chris Richardson gained his first County selection ever with 16th he too has been suffering from Asthma and Jacob Hardy who had a nasty tumble towards the end was brave enough to get up and finish in 18th

A good day overall for our athletes all giving their best against very good opposition