In the season ending cross country fixture at the Inter-Counties championships at Cofton park, Birmingham there were some encouraging performances from the Harriers squad to cap what has been one of the best winter (XC & road) seasons for many years with record numbers of medals at county level, consistent high placings in Regional & National competitions, and a winner of English Schools XC Championship, and a National Gold medal for the Midland & National road relays.
On a pleasantly warm day with firm conditions over most of the new course layout the pride of the top placing on the day and biggest improver fell to U15 Fynn Batkin who finished in a superb 44th place making up almost 200 places in the same race just 1 year earlier. Fynn who the previous week was disappointed with his English Schools placing of 123rd, got off to a much better start this time, and was mid pack after the 250m downhill start, Fynn, ran a strong race taking places all the way to the finish, and secured second county scorer helping the team to a terrific 8th place overall.
U13 Dylan Bowley, ended a terrific season with a slightly disappointing race by his standard, but still finished in a respectable 58th place, but frustratingly in 4th place overall in the UK Cross Challenge league, where he had hope of a podium finish, by the smallest of margin of 3 points (Just 6 off second place), but he was compensated with further vouchers for what is still a superb achievement. Dylan was second scorer for the Northants team helping them to a fine 9th place overall.
U17 Claudia Nevett enjoyed a fine race despite feeling unwell over the last km to finish in 101st, her highest placing ever in the competition, and second Northants scorer behind Tabatha Walford (a fine 23rd) and Sophie Moss had a superb race to finish in 118th, a big improvement the from 221 a week earlier at English Schools, helping the Northants team to a respectable 23rd position, with other Harriers Elana Albery 186th (4th Northants scorer), Chloe Hearne 204th, Amy Robinson a late substitute running well in her first ever national Championship in 256th.
U20M Jack hope struggled a little over the course to finish in 106th place with Edward Cannell finishing in a respectable 135th.
There was a big number decent debut in a National Championship for the Harriers MD squad with U13 Freya Batkin running a fine race to finish in 165th and Mia Brockway a respectable 241st both who still have another year in this age group! Also making first appearances were U15 Dannielle McCann-Gaskell who ran well for 235th with Harriet Jolley a late substitution & Alice Gammon both running well in their first championship race to finish in 270th & 289th respectively. U13's Ollie Reade & Ollie Sutton also both making their debuts also running well to finish in a respectable 268th & 276th respectively.
In the Senior categories there was just two Harriers competing and finishing in respectable placings with SM Stephen Thompson finishing in 239th, and SW Trudi pike 245th.
Well done to all
Most of the MD squad will now enjoy their winter season 2 week break, apart from a certain Emily Williams who faces the exciting prospect of a further weeks training in preparation for her England debut at the British Schools International in Falkirk!