Essex Schools XC Champs, Hawkwell
A dry, overcast morning greeted our athletes with incentives such as: if you finish in the top six, you are guaranteed selection to represent Essex Schools in the All England Schools XC at Ardingly in March this year. Also at stake was: any top 20 finisher would be selected to represent Essex Schools in the South-East of England Schools Inter-Counties at Newbury on 1st February.
With little or no rain in recent days it meant a fairly dry course which incorporated some tricky negotiations on each lap.
It was a very successful day for WGEL runners as no fewer than fourteen young athletes were selected to represent Essex at the Inter Counties (four for the first time) of which six made the top six, which guarantees them selection for the English Schools.
Junior Boys (Year 8 and 9 school years)
We had five Woodies on the start line from a field of around 60/65 runners. New lad George Keene ran the race of his life to place 3rd, which gave him his first county colours so soon after joining WGEL. George always held on to the leading group and, although winner Ben Tucker broke away for a fine victory, our lad held on brilliantly and exceeded what his coach had hoped for. Next home was U13 Boys Essex XC champion Eric Frith. Eric had sustained a calf niggle and his training over the last two weeks was restricted, but he held on well with the bulk of those ahead of him actually being Year 9.
The next two lads had a real scrap to the line with Adam Amin (19th) with Kaden Nelson-Gursoy 21st. Both were selected which was the target for both, and the lads deserved it as they only joined WGEL late last summer. Woody Qureshi also ran and, considering the fact he can rarely train, 36th is a great result for him as he is only year 8.
Junior Girls (Year 8 and Year 9)
We had three runners on the start line for this. Sophia Parker made it three years on the trot winning Essex selection. Sophia looked strong throughout and was pleased with another county selection. She finished 16th. Marissa Higgs-Smith was next in 28th, which was a fine effort when her main event is the the pole vault. Just six places behind was Year 8 athlete Isabella Lester (34th), which showed Isabella is making good progress.
Inter Boys (Year 10 and Year 11)
We had six lads representing West Essex and this turned out to be a match between WGEL and Havering with Rowe and Horsley in the lineup. After the first small lap the two Havering lads were leading, with four of our lads close behind. At the end of the second lap Rowe had got away slightly, with our four lads tracking Horsley. The positions remained unchanged to the end, with West Essex Schools champion Oscar Eaton leading our lads home in 3rd place, with Harry Stockill, George Watkins and Luka Norden all within 50 metres of Oscar, which gave the four lads automatic selection for the All England Schools. Behind these four Daniel Arnold, a year 10 lad, was having a fine race for 12th with Josh Stephenson just one place behind and winning his first county colours.
George Watkins, Daniel Arnold, Harry Stockill, Oscar Eaton, Josh Stephenson, Luka Norden
Inter Girls (Year 10 and Year 11)
Having just annexed yet another South Of England title, this time over 400m in 56.25secs, Natasha Wynn gave herself a run out over the country. She should be pleased with her effort, not looking at all distressed as she placed 13th to earn yet another county selection.
Senior Girls (Year 12 and Year 13)
Molly Sherrin yet again produced a brilliant, gutsy run to place 4th to make the All England Schools once again. Molly was always near the front, and she held her position with great determination. Another superb run! Summer Maw, who has had to curtail her training due to a foot injury in recent weeks, did well for 22nd spot, which gained her a reserve spot for the Inter Counties this coming Saturday.
Senior Boys (Year 12 and Year 13)
This field was of a very high quality and included a few schools internationals. Despite this Nate Harding, after a steady start, pushed through for a fine 13th to gain yet another Essex Schools callup.
So an excellent day for our runners! I again thank all the parents who transported the athletes to Hawkwell.