Emily Williams led the way for the Harriers squad who were in action at the Anglian Trophy XC meeting held in Northamptonshire this year at the familiar course of Abington Park, securing her first major title and also securing Northants only individual win of the day.
After heavy recent rainfall there were tough conditions underfoot and strong winds made for testing conditions on the day
Emily Williams followed on from her superb run at the Midland Counties and enjoyed her best XC race of the season in the opening Minor Girls race, she quickly settled at the front of the field and within the first km of the 2.5km course and established a small lead with Cambridgeshire's Eleanor Macintosh which was maintained throughout the race. 11 year old Emily showed maturity beyond her years to run a perfect tactical race sitting on her rivals shoulder until the final 200m where she kicked decisively on the downhill section of the finish to win by 8 seconds and to take her first major title. Also running well for the Harriers was Jennifer Robinson who finished in a very respectable 39th (7th Northants) to help the team to second position behind Suffolk
In the Minor boys race young Dylan Bowley again ran superbly against much older competition to finish in 14th overall (2nd Northants) with Henri Codling suffering the effects of a virus a little off the pace finishing in 48th.
In the first of the English Schools qualification races, Jake Trent ran an excellent race to finish in 16th position overall (5th Northants) to secure his qualification and help Northants to finish in 2nd position in the team competition.
In the Junior Girls Race Northants easily won the team competition with ex Harrier Tabatha Walford in excellent form finishing in 2nd, and Rebecca Hughes with perhaps her best ever performance over the cross country was in inspired form to finish a superb race in 18th position (6th Northants) and secure her ES qualification. Sophie Moss ran well to finish in 42nd, and Amy Robinson finished in 62nd.
The Inter Boys race saw three more Harriers quality for ES with Jack Hope running an excellent race to finish in 7th (1st Northants), and the ever consistent Edward Cannell running a strong race to finish in 31st (6th Northants), and Ethan Mehmet also running well one place behind in 32nd (7th Northants) all three Harriers helping Northants team win comfortably from Suffolk.
The Inter Girls Race saw two further Harriers Qualifying for ES with Claudia Nevett leading the way with a fine race to finish in an excellent 12th position overall (3rd Northants) and Gemma Vaughan who seems to enjoy the Anglian school competition running her best race of the season in her brand new spikes for 29th overall (5th Northants). Other Harriers competing were Ella Palmer (49th) & Hannah Winstone (52nd)
In the Senior Girls Race three more Harriers secured their ES qualifications and again helped Northants team to a superb team win, Jess Gordon continued her excellent current form and run an outstanding race to finish in 5th position overall (1st Northants), and Claudy Kelsall also running a fine race for 9th overall (2nd Northants), Fran Ashworth ran her best race of the season to finish in 13th (4th Northants) just behind former Harrier Kayli Walford who finished in 11th. Lauren Mehmet ran well but was just outside of the qualification places in 38th (9th Northants).
Last race of the day again saw three Senior Boys Harriers secure their ES places with Lewis Hayes running a strong race, just losing out to ex Harrier Josh Coles in the finish straight for 17th position overall (3rd Northants), and Liam Kirk running his final race before departing to the RAF running a strong race for 36th (5th Northants), and Jed Hayes leaving a bit in the tank believing there were 4 laps to run rather than the 3, finishing in 41st (7 Northants)
Further afield, Josh Cara eased to a comfortable Warwickshire Inter Boys county schools championship win to secure his place at ES, and Abby Coleman who has also secured qualification for Leicestershire, means there are 15 Harriers who have booked their ES places, Beth Gordon who was unable to compete due to a virus must wait nervously to see if she will be selected in the Inter Girls squad in the final 8th spot to make it 16 harriers in total... Fingers Crossed!
Overall a magnificent display, with the KTH Middle Distance Squad helping Northants to 2nd behind Suffolk in the overall combined team position.
Well Done Guys - Shane Smith XC Team Manager