Met League 4, 2025: Young Athletes
Although a clear blue sky and sun shining for once the temperature struggled to reach 0 degrees. The parkland undulating course was covered in frost as over 50 young athletes arrived to continue the great work overall from last year. This event also included our club championships.
Under 11 boys
We had 13 boys from the starting field of around 40 runners. This was a great turnout indeed. The start was a fast one with our runners well to the fore early on. Jesse Geller, fresh from a great Chingford League win last month, hit the front and superbly held of a strong challenge from a VPH runner. It was Jesse’s first victory in the Met League. He is only year 5. On the charge behind these two was Jack Tonge, putting in another superb performance for 3rd, just 7 seconds down on the winner. Our 3rd scorer, Alfie Perkins, was unfortunate to miss the start but made up huge ground to place 7th, and one wonders what he could have done with a level pegging start. Closing in our scoring four was Noah Gavin, having an excellent run for 10th, which gave us 1st on the day and a big lead overall.
Lucas Foley recorded his highest Met League showing for 12th, just ahead of the so reliable Patrick Langan in 13th. Raphael Thomas, still recovering from illness, sportingly turned out for 16th, just ahead of Lucas Sender who was great too in 17th. These B team lads were brilliant in placing 2nd on the day and lie 3rd overall. We even had a complete C team who were 5th on the day. Well done indeed. Luca Cook 18th, George Davies 21st, Dylan Williams 23rd, and young Stanley Perkins 30th. In 35th spot we had Sophia Parker’s younger brother. Well done to him too.
Under 11 girls
The re christened “terrible triplets” of Chloe Ward 4th, Phoebe Quorn 5th and Rosie Barron 6th once again showed what a great team we have with these three. Their consistency has been brilliant this season. One hopes in years to come these three are on a podium at a National event. They are a huge credit to WGEL. Behind, Kaya Affleck, running really well, closed in the team in 1st place to get a big lead overall.
From L to R: Rosie Barron, Phoebe Quorn, Chloe Ward (photo: Katy Quorn)
Just behind Kaya were Jessica Cole and Emilia Herbert, having a great battle for 17th and 18th. Next in was debutant Noah Glover-Harrison, doing really well for 19th. Another debutant was Grace Cherry's younger sister Esme, enjoying herself in 23rd. The B team were 5th on the day and are 5th overall. Again great backup was provided by Hannah Hussain in 25th. Around 39 started, so it was another great turnout from the girls.
Under 13 girls
Once again Eva Prince showed what a tough competitor she is by sticking with the two leaders as the three broke away from the rest of the 40 strong field. Eva showed guts and tenacity by placing 3rd, her first time in the top three. Eva had great support with Grace Cherry, a bottom year runner, having a great run in 6th place. Coming through like a steam train on the second lap was Lottie Oates with her highest placing of 11th. Lottie is reaping the benefits of the Sunday long run with her team mates. Helping the team to 1st place on the day was Poppy Barker, who was 14th.The girls are now about 60 points clear overall.
Kehanique Lowe, yet another bottom year runner and having a good run too, was 24th. Just behind was Sophia Stephenson in 25th place with Chloe Summers 26th. Maia Lalani closed the B team in with 29th, which gave them 7th on the day and 9th overall. It should be noted the majority of these girls will be U13s next season so plenty to look forward too.
Under 13 boys
A disappointing turnout for this age group with just three on the start line. Our new county champion Eric Frith did warm up but wisely chose not to start in view of a calf muscle strain. We wish Eric a speedy recovery as he prepares for the championship races in the weeks to come. Oskar Prince led the team home in 17th place. He did well to finish as he took a tumble on the second lap. Close by was bottom year Henry Richards in 18th place, while Daniel Hayden produced a storming finish to place 30th. Over 50 started and we were 7th on the day but lie 4th overall.
Junior Men
This race combines U15s and U17s. There was a good turnout of almost 100.
Under 15 boys
Daniel Arnold was unfortunate to miss the Essex Champs due to illness but he toed the line, still not fully 100%, but placed 9th, nearly 50 seconds faster than last year from the 55 starters for this age group. Next in was new recruit George Keene, who was 2nd in the West Essex Schools Junior Boys XC last year. George ran a fine race for 26th. Miles Braysher was 30th, a really good effort just ahead of 400/800m specialist Kaden Gursoy-Nelson who was 32nd. Kaden ran a fine 1min 37secs for 600m recently indoors. Thomas Nicholls, who is preparing for the track season, placed 43rd. A fine showing overall from the lads.
Under 17 Men
This was a very competitive field. 3 of the first 6 to finish actually ran under 8.50 for 3000m last summer.
This did not put off our lads in the slightest. Going into the 2nd lap Harry Stockill was 3rd, Luka Norden 4th and Oscar Eaton 5th. Harry held on superbly for 3rd, Oscar 5th and Luka 11th. Harry and Luka were both over 40 seconds quicker than last year. Aidan O’Driscoll, rapidly coming back to his best, was 12th. Josh Stephenson in 15th ran no less than 94 seconds quicker than last year. Josh is considering having a go at the steeplechase this summer after a YDL victory last summer. Max Koschek, looking forward to the track season, was 35th. There were around 42 starters.
Herts Phoenix won narrowly by 11 points on the day from us, but overall we hold a 20 point lead with one match to go.
Junior Women
This race combines the U15s and U17s and had around 50 starters.
Under 15
Isla Fulling, gradually getting back to full fitness, led the team home in 8th spot from 35 starters. Isla, who is Herts Schools 800m champion, finished very strongly. Just one place behind Isla was Sophia Parker, running an inspired race for 9th - easily her highest position to date. All-rounder Marissa Higgs-Smith was out again in support of the club for 26th. Emilia Kozinska, who was away over the holiday season, did well for 31st. Isla Barron was 32nd and it was good to see her running for us again.
Under 17
Molly Sherrin showed what a great competitor she is. After earning another automatic Essex selection the week before, Molly was out again, placing 4th with a tremendous long run for home which saw her take two places. It was great to see Ella Traynor back in action after injury and running well again for 12th place, followed by - in my eyes - club girl of the season Matilda Frith in 15th spot.
Summary
The girls placed 4th on the day and are 5th overall.
So we now hold a 13 point lead in the Howard Williams Junior Trophy, ahead of London Heathside with Shaftesbury 3rd. We also lead in the U11 Girls, U11 Boys, U13 Girls, and Junior Men. So in April we could be bringing five trophies back to Ashton plus some individual awards for overall scores.
Turnouts at our three away matches have been excellent and I must thank parents and coaches for supporting the athletes who have been magnificent throughout the season.
Our final match is at Trent Park on 8th Feb.