Solid results from juniors in CI team for English Schools XC
Saturday 15th March was a crisp day where the grass was frozen and the ground predominately hard under foot. Ardingly Showground in Haywards Heath was buzzing with excitement as it hosted the prestigious English Schools Athletics Cross Country Championships in its centenary year. The course looked promising for our eight Jersey Spartans athletes chosen to represent the Channel Islands. With near perfect conditions our athletes looked forward to their upcoming race.
We walked the course as a team starting with the wide start and a long downhill stretch. As we headed further towards the woods the ground became softer but still very manageable. Different loops of the course for the differing age groups had the athletes heading in different directions.
Teddy Wilson was the first race for the CI team and the only athlete in pen 5 for Junior Boys. Quick off the mark Wilson had a good first 100m and settled within the top 100. Expecting to run 2850m, one small and one medium loop, Wilson appeared to be in the middle of a large group at the half way mark. The winning time was 8:22 and Wilson completed the course in 9:36 and finished 157/334.
Next up was Florence Williams, who had been previously unwell during the week, was in pen 19 alongside her fellow Guernsey team mate. Expecting to run the same distance as the boys, Williams struggled to hold any pace but continued to show resilience and finished the course in 11:56s and 319/333.
Our intermediate boys, Ewan Pilley and Zane Simpson were next, running 4800m. Pilley, looking composed, led the boys out of pen 10. Simpson, following closely behind to begin with slowly started to slip backwards before pulling out of the race at the half way point. Simpson was struggling to get his breathing under control after a recent bout of illness. Pilley clawed his way through the hoards of athletes to finish 1:19 seconds behind the leader in 15.45. An excellent 67th from 326.
Last up were the 4 senior male athletes, Bradley Andrews-Callec, Luke Holmes, George and Edward Carney. Andrews-Callec headed up pen 18 with his Guernsey peer following behind with G Carney, E Carney and L Holmes in hot pursuit. A fast start from Andrews-Callec ensured that the rest of the athletes could get a clear run out. Andrews-Callec settled comfortably into the top 50 whilst the other athletes weaved their way through the masses on the challenging course with 3 loops over 6000m. The race leader finished in 17:46 with Andrews-Callec following in 28th and 49 seconds behind. Holmes 53/318, E Carney 71/318 and G Carney 108/318.
As always our thanks to the coaches and chaperones who support our young athletes and to Jersey Sport for their continued support.
