2023-24 Met League race 1: U15 & U17
A much colder day was in evidence following the recent warm spell. The sun was shining and WGEL had no fewer than 24 Woodies and 9 Woodettes toe the line. The circuit of 4.2k was maybe a wee bit further as the patch of long grass at the start area could be avoided after the 1500 metre first lap circuit.
Under 15 Boys
This must be a record - 17 WGEL athletes on the start line.
Leading the boys home was Harry Stockill, who had raced the day before in the ESAA Cuo match, proving his “blinder” in the National Road Relays was not a “one off”. Harry was with the overall leading pack before placing 2nd in 14 mins 13 secs, some 86 seconds quicker than last year. Behind Harry was Oscar Eaton, introduced to WGEL by Harry, on his debut for the club. Oscar ran really well for 4th in 15 mins 05 secs and this lad will only improve. Daniel Arnold, a first year Under 15, produced a great run for 6th in 15 mins 09 secs. Daniel has worked hard with coach Joe Everitt in recent weeks.
Stephen Ng, again a first year Under 15, stepped up well for 30th in 16 mins 21 secs. Next in was another debutant (again introduced by Harry Stockill) Josh Stephenson 16 mins 28 secs. Like Oscar, Josh will only get quicker. Yuvan Kumar, who has made a promising start to this season, was next in 38th in 16 mins 48 secs.
The rest of the squad were unbelievable in the way they packed showing great strength in depth. 39th Rahul Solanki 16 mins 48 41st Latin Khan 16 mins 50 This was another fine debut 42nd Oliver Brown 16 mins 53 Good to have Oliver back 44th Sid Smith 16 mins 59 Another fine debut 48th Lucas Freedman 17 mins 29 52nd Callum Clydesdale 17 mins 32 A fine run for a sprinter 54th Archie Smith 17 mins 41 Archie’s first XC for WGEL mainly an 800 runner 55th Ethan Day 17 mins 43 Good to see Ethan again 57th Tyler Mudondo 18 mins 06 Yet another debutant.Well done Tyler 60th Charlie Howes 18 mins 26 Good to see him too 65th Ethan Withfield 20 mins 19 Another debutant Well done
Under 17 Men
Nate Harding first race for awhile produced a fine performance for 5th in 14 mins 39 secs, some 41 seconds quicker than last year. Nate is now linking up with Abigail Reid for a Wednesday 10k run which is helping both of them.
William Muffett made us XC debut for us after transferring over to us at the end of the summer. Like Daniel and Harry, he had raced the day before too. He produced a fine run for 9th in 15 mins 01. Joshua Ssempira had a good run for 14th in 15 mins 15. Josh is now settling into regular training. Joe Arnold had an excellent track season ran well for 24th in 15 mins 55. It was good to see the hard working Godwinner who does so much to help the club placing 29th 16 mins 16. Aidan O’Driscoll, another one who is multi eventing, and it’s good to see, placed 32nd 16 mins 30 with Vladimiins Kalinins closing our squad in 33rd 16 mins 44 secs.
In the overall team event for combined U15/17 WGEL and SBH currently share the lead with 420 points.
U17 Women
Abigail Reid had a fine race indeed to win the U17 race in 15 mins 55. Although having to give way to the phenomenal Jorja March who won the U15 girls race, Abigail can feel pleased with her first outing for the new season. Abigail is working with coach Richard Thurston towards the UK Cross Challenge at the end of November. Behind Abigail in 5th place was Anaand Tratt who had a fine race. Anaand is a keen footballer so does well to fit that in with her running which she appears to do very well at. Another footballer, Summer Maw, was 10th in 18 mins 22. Summer, like Anaand, manages both sports very well. Matilda Frith was another who raced the day before was 12th in 20 mins 21. Matilda is an excellent club girl.
Under 15 Girls
Ella Traynor had another great run leading the squad home in 9th place in 18 mins 09. Ella is only a first year Under 15 so really well done to her. Tess Noblett who is also playing football (good for her) ran well 12th 18 mins 26. Isla Fulling a first year Under 15, whom her coach is hoping may go close to 2 mins 20 for 800 next summer is no slouch over the country where she placed 16th 18 mins 31. Juliet Taylor a great club girl was next home in 26th 19 mins 42. Amber Higgs-Smith another great all rounder placed 30th 20 mins 27 seconds with debutant Freya Barbieri closing our squad home in 33rd 21 mins 17.
The girls lie in 3rd place but it’s close for the top three with less than 20 points covering three clubs.
We believe the Howard Williams Junior overall score is very close between us and Shaftesbury Barnet.
