Five Woodbridge Athletes Represent Suffolk at South of England Inter Cross Country
Mr Goddard reports:
Last Saturday five Woodbridge School Athletes represented Suffolk County (as opposed to Suffolk Schools) at the South of England Inter County Cross Country in Oxford.
Amy Goddard finished mid field in the U13 girls race, and as fourth home of the eight Suffolk athletes, counted towards the Suffolk A Team result with the team finishing a highly creditable ninth.
Charlie Turner competed a year up in the U15 boys. Charlie was tumbled to the ground at the ferocious start, but despite blood from a few spike wounds, picked himself up and worked through the field to finish in the top third. As second Suffolk runner home he helped the team to a 15th place finish.
April Hill showed a glimpse of her old self, running a year up in the U15 girls as she continues to gain fitness after missing most of 2016 and early 2017 with injury. April was competitive throughout the race finishing second for Suffolk in 23rd place, and only about 20 seconds (over the 4km course0) off a top ten finish. The team again did well to finish ninth.
Nathan Goddard followed his recent Suffolk Schools victory at Culford this time finishing first Suffolk home in 26th place despite running a year up in the U17 men. Nathan was 57 seconds behind the winner over 5km and the first few are the same names that dominate the Nationals. The Suffolk team finished 12th.
And Ruby Vinton: wow! Ruby has entered her first senior school cross country season by competing a year up and blazing an unprecedented trail. Fresh from her win at the England Schools’ XC Cup Final two weeks ago, this race seemed likely to provide a sterner test. Or so we thought… Under orders to follow the lead pack, Ruby soon realised that two athletes were getting away and so with adults holding their breath, she set off in pursuit. Surely on catching the leaders Ruby would settle… Not a chance, she ran past the leaders and eased away to become Champion of the South by 7 seconds, all a year young. An outstanding effort and achievement! Congratulations to Ruby from all at Woodbridge School.
It’s also worth mention that the Suffolk U13 Boys’ team won the South of England team title (despite no Woodbridge School athletes this time!), to indicate just what a bright future there is for our Suffolk youngsters. All part of an impressive end to the first half of the cross country season, with a long awaited Christmas break to recharge ahead of some major races between January and March.
