We would like to wish Jack Hope & Josh Cara the very best of luck in the new chapters in their life, with both athletes heading off to University. Jack heads off today to study sports science at Cardiff, and Josh joins his new University running squad for a training camp next week before departing to study medicine at Cambridge next weekend.
Jack & Josh have been training/ competing at KTH since 2009/2008 respectively and have gone through the ranks in all the AG and have been outstanding athletes for KTH over the past 8 seasons and have been huge role models for many of the current squad members.
Josh, a 15 times County Champion on both Track & XC has achieved great success during his time with the Harriers, becoming National Prep School XC champion, Midland Counties XC champion. Josh has also been consistently ranked in the UK top 50 in 2012-2016 and as high as 7th over 5m in 2014, and is the club record holder for 3000m at U17 AG.
Jack who would consider Josh not only as a great friend, but also his biggest rival and they have competed/ raced together throughout their time at the Harriers, with victory’s being shared. Jack also a 6 times County Champion has also achieved great success particularly since specialising on track in the steeplechase event where he is the Club record holder for 1500msc & 2000msc at U17 AG. Jack has also been an ever consistent Top 50 in the UK from 2010-2016 and enjoys his highest ranking of 6th over 2ksc in 2016.
Both boys have also won numerous team medals at County & Regional level over XC & Road, and have been ever consistent Northants County representatives at XC & track and have also competed at the highest National level, English Schools T&F on two occasions each.
Jack & Josh with one of their titanic battles at the 2014 county Championships
There was a traditional sending off for Jack & Josh with the traditional signing of the “red stripe of recognition” on the clubhouse wall, and a post training session send off at the Trading post where gifts & well wishes were exchanged between their squad members, and their coach, Shane Smith who has coached both athletes since they joined the Harriers.
Shane was highly complementary on both athletes; stating “Both athletes have been superb role models for anyone coming into sport, both knowing the value of hard work, and dedication”. He added “I struggle to think of many occasions where they have missed any training sessions, and this shows with their consistently high achievements throughout all of the AG they competed in. They have well & truly left their Mark at the Harriers, setting club records and helping to elevate the standing of the club at a County Regional & National level competitions, they will be hugely missed”.
Both Jack & Josh are looking forward to the University life experience, whilst still trying to maintain their elite level within the sport, which will be a tricky balance. However both have been introduced to their new university based coaches who will work with their club coach to ensure both have the best chance to progress on to the next level, over the next few years.
Best of Luck Guys, and look forward to seeing you back at the Harriers at Christmas time!