A total of 22 athletes from the Middle distance squad progressed to the next round of the County schools championships, the Anglian Trophy, and will represent the Northants Schools County team in a weeks time at Abington Park, where English schools places will be up for grabs.
In very tough conditions and on a very testing course at Croyland Park Wellingborough there were some terrific performances with x3 championship winners, x2 runner up in silver medal position and x2 bronze medals
Emily Williams, missing out on local rival this time around was the first championship winner, leading right from the start she won the U13 race in style and was a comfortable winner, with the improving Jennifer Robinson also securing qualification with an excellent 7th position.
In the Boys U13 race Henri Codling had a superb run doing battle with younger rival, Dylan Bowley, who is unbeaten at U11 age group this season, with the longer 4k course just taking its toll towards the end, Henri surged pass Dylan with 200m to go to take silver medal, with Dylan finishing in bronze medal position.
In the U15 girls race there was a superb battle between ex Harrier Tabatha Walford, and winner of the county championship, Emer wintsch, with Tabs just proving too strong over the closing stages taking the title, Harriers Rebecca Hughes ran a quality race to finish in 10th position to qualify, with Sophie Moss also qualifying with a good race in 13th position. Amy Robinson & Chloe Hearne are named as reserves.
In the U15 Boys race the sole qualifier from the Harriers was Jake Trent who ran a solid race to finish in 7th. Ex Harrier Travis Bowley, older brother of Dylan ran well for 15th and take his place as a reserve.
In the U17 Girls race, Claudia Nevett found the going a little tougher in the older age group, but was top finisher for the Harriers with a great race to finish in 4th position, with Beth Gordon running a typical gutsy run for 7th, and Gemma Vaughan running a solid race for 9th, final qualifier for the Harriers was Hannah Winstone who ran well for 12th.
The U17 Boys race was one of the races on the day, with Jack Hope back to top form to power his way to victory and reverse the surprising defeat from Jack Bond from the county championships two weeks earlier. Jack set the pace with his name sake throughout the race, and with 300m to go he kicked and never looked back to take victory. Edward Cannell, also in great from battled throughout the race with oscar potomsky but was narrowly defeated at the finish but still qualified well in 5th position, Ethan Mehmet also running a strong race finished in 8th to also qualify. Matt Brookes was unable to race, but qualified with an appeal.
The U19 girls race was the final victory for the Harriers, with Claudia Kesell running a superbly paced race to take the title, from fellow Harrier Jess Gordon, who also ran a superb race for silver medal, both girls enjoying a substantial lead from third position. Lauren Mehmet also ran a solid race to qualify in 8th, and Fran Ashworth who was unable to compete, was also selected on appeal.
The final race of the day, saw x3 Harriers qualify in the U19 Boys race, Lewis Hayes slightly off form ran well to finish in bronze medal position, Twin Jed, enjoying a much better race than the county championships ran a solid race for 5th, and the ever consistent Liam Kirk nursing a slight foot injury final qualifier in 6th.
Well done to all the squad who competed, and to all who will represent their county.
Much of the squad will be action again this weekend at the Midland Counties, and then in what is an extremely busy month, race in the Anglian Trophy the following week.