The Cross country finale for most, English Schools National Championships, saw 11 of the Harriers Middle Squad in action. The championship held at the iconic Wollaton Park in Nottingham, scene of the breakthrough performance for Emily Williams way back in 2016 which saw her win her first English schools title, was a wonderful setting for the championship and with conditions firm in the main despite a week of intermittent rain it was all set for a fine day of XC racing at its best.
The performance of the day saw Junior Girl Jemima Davey finish in a fine 32nd position bettering her 44th the previous year and top scoring for her county (Somerset). Davey could never quite manage to break into the leading pack of athletes all chasing an SIAB International vest, but she battled hard to the finish the 3.5km course finishing in 12:54, helping her county to 31st place. Davey is still adjusting to her new boarding school & training arrangements so the performance to just miss out in the top 10, although slightly disappointing, will add fuel to her ambitions for the summer. Iona Ellwood also ran well to finish in 236th (14:15) and 4th Northants County Scorer just one place ahead of her finish in 2022.
Jemima Davey (centre) with a superb run to finish in 32nd place
Senior Boy Rio Carr, who was the top scorer for Northants at the County Championships & Anglian Trophy, continued his dominance to top score again for the County and finish in a highly credible 101st place bettering his 148th placing in 2022. Carr finished the 7.0km course in 19:83, with Lucas Mansell also running well finishing in 193rd as third Northants scorer.
Rio Carr with a fine run for 101st place & top County finisher
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Junior Boy George Sharp improved massively by over 100 places from 2022 with a fine run to finish in 196th and 4th scorer for the County over the 4.2km course in 15:52, with Zachary Scott finishing in 344th place in 16:41
George Sharp (343) with a huge improvement from 2022 of over 100 places
Senior Girl Abigail Thayanity ran a fine race to finish in a solid 227th and third Northants scorer over the 4.5km course in 19:45, with 800m specialists Alice Bennett who has just returned from a winter break finishing in 241st (20:09) exactly 1 place better than 2022 and 5th scorer for the County.
In the Intermediate Girls race over 3.9km 800m specialists Leicestershire’s Chelsie Locker & Maggie Gancheva ran respectable races finishing in 294th (15:08) and in 324th (15:43) respectively. Intermediate Boy Dylan White sadly had to retire due to a muscle strain.
There were many credible performances from the squad who now switch focus to the upcoming track season with most taking a short break. Well Done to everyone who ran.