Anglian Cross Country Championships
Abington Park, Northampton, was the venue for the Anglian cross-country championships last Saturday and with 21 students in attendance for the event, we had students in all eight different age groups and were arguably the school with the largest contingent of any Lincolnshire school.
The competition sees the best 16 athletes from Suffolk, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire all competing to secure places for their county at the English Schools Cross-country Championships at Sefton Park, Liverpool in mid-March. With conditions ideal for cross-country and running spikes taped on to secure them through the muddy conditions, it was Yvette Annis (Senior girls) who led the races out at 12 noon. An exceptional run for Yvette saw her finish in ninth place and simply reaffirm her selection for Liverpool. Maddie Keith in the Year 7 (Minor) Girl’s competition was our sole representative who ran exceptionally well to finish in 36th position and gain her first county representation for the School.
In the Minor boys, Bourne had the largest contingent of five athletes with all performing well in the middle of the field. Oliver Barker was highest placed for the school in 56th, followed closely by Alfie Fleming (68th), George Calvert (70th), Usaym Moin (71st) and Emmett Saker (73rd). The best performance from any Bourne athlete at the event was from Sam Griffin in the Junior Boys (Years 8 & 9). An exceptional run from Sam, who is currently in Year 8, saw him finish in an outstanding 7th position and also secure his position for the English Schools. Ciaran Mackay also ran well finishing in 58th position overall.
Three strong runs from our Junior Girls saw excellent performances from Amberly Keith (25th) closely followed by Sofia Christoudias in 34th position and Madeleine Hobson in 38th. In the Inter Girls competition, a super performance from Leah Graham (14th) will also see her in Liverpool next month and Edith Kaberry (40th) will need to wait to see if she qualifies in one of the two remaining places still available for Lincolnshire in that age group.
In a very strong Inter Boys race (Years 10 & 11) our two Year 10's again performed very strongly. Eli Saralis finished in 56th position closely followed by Cayden Mackay in 63rd. Again, two good performances running against students a year older than themselves. In the final race of the day, and the longest, the 6.1k course encompassed three loops of the very challenging and hilly course. Unfortunately, Theo Saralis was unable to start due to injury but Toby Staines finished in an excellent 50th position, with Miles Garrido in 57th and Noah Henderson in 61st. Overall, an outstanding day with exceptional performances from every student involved.
We will shortly hear of those who have qualified for Liverpool as places for the Final are discussed early next week.
For our younger years, the Fenland League will resume soon after February half term but running club with Mr. Lattimer continues on Mondays and Wednesdays after school for all those wishing to improve their running or general fitness. All are welcome