Josh Cara stormed to a superb Individual Bronze medal at the Midland
Counties Cross Country Championships and inspired the U17 Men's team to a
superb Silver Team Medal. The Championships held at Leamington Newbold
Comyn held good memories for Josh who won the championship here 3 years ago
as a top year U13, this year running as a bottom year U17 he acquitted
himself very well on a horrendously wet course over 6km.
Josh established himself in a lead group of 4 athletes from the start, and
hung onto them until the second circuit, when he dropped slightly of the
pace, but never giving up hope Josh kept working hard to try and rejoin the
group, we was rewarded when Cameron Shankley tired in the last 1.5km, and
Josh surged past him to finish in 22:59 and take a superb individual Bronze
medal proving he is right back in top form.
Jack Hope also ran an excellent race to finish in 9th position picking
himself up after falling in the infamous ditch to finish strongly in 24:29,
also running an excellent race was the ever dependable Edward Cannell who
finished in a fine 33rd in 26:17, and fourth scorer Matt Brookes finishing
in 48th in 26:56 after a horrendous start which saw him right at the back
on the first 1km loop. The team were rewarded with a superb team Silver
Medal, beating some impressive rivals (Tipton/ Coventry Godiva/ Leicester
Coritanians) in the process.
There were some strong individual performances of note as well, with Bottom
year U13's Emily Williams enjoying a fantastic race to finish in 11th
position, and Jennifer Robinson running well for 98th in a field of 139.
The sole U13 B representative Henri Codling also a bottom year U13 ran an
excellent race to finish in 29th in a field of 111. Ethan Mehmet competing
at U15 B also ran a strong race to finish 32nd in a strong field of 100,
and U20 W Claudia Kelsall also ran well over the 5km distance to finish in
13th position.
The U17 W race saw Jess Gordon continue her fine form over the country to
finish just outside of the top 10 with a fine 11th position leading the
team to a fine top 5 finish, with Abigail Coleman giving great support as
2nd scorer finishing in 23rd, and Fran Ashworth final scorer with a solid
30th position, Gemma Vaughan also ran well for 44th.
The U15 G team also acquitted themselves well with a strong performance to
finish in 11th position, top scorer was Claudia Nevett with strong run to
finish in 28th, and the improving Beth Gordon second scorer in 50th
position, Sophie Moss was next finisher with a fine run for 67th, and final
scorer Chloe Hearne in 83rd. Amy Robinson & Hannah Whinstone also ran well
for 86th & 92nd respectively.
Also running on the day were Andrew Clawson (259th), Paul Young (348th) & Terry Hatter (350th) in the Senior Mens Championship.
Well Done to all the athletes who ran
U17M Silver medal team (L-R) - Jack, Edward, Matt & Josh