Woodbridge in Top 10 of English Schools in National Cross Country Cup Final 2021
Last Saturday, Woodbridge competed in the National Cross Country Finals in Newquay, Cornwall. The Cross Country Cup is the largest English Schools team competition for cross country athletes and open to 8,000 secondary schools. We’re extremely proud to say that all three teams that entered finished in the top 10 in England!
Having progressed from the start of the competition in October, qualifying for regionals from which the top three in each region are invited to the final last weekend, Woodbridge was one of just 27 schools that qualified for the National Final, which is quite some achievement we’re sure you’ll agree. Our report details the journey and our success:
This year, the finals were held in Cornwall on Saturday 4 December. Woodbridge School had three teams qualify for the Nationals, matching the School’s previous best and qualifying for a fifth successive Nationals.
In our previous four Nationals our best girls team finish to date had been 13th. Our Senior Girls were first to race in the third race of the day on Saturday. Led by Ruby, who as a Year 11 in a Year 11 to 13 race finished 2nd to take a well-deserved Silver. The girls had their best ever result, finishing in an amazing 6th place. Full results were: Ruby Y11 2nd, April Y13 17th, Amy Y12 37th, Isobel Y11 49th and Anna Y12 119th.
Not to be outdone, or phased by the occasion in any way, our Junior Girls (‘Pocket Rockets’) were next up, almost matching the Senior performance to finish in 7th place – very special indeed at their first Nationals. Perhaps most pleasing, the team only just qualified finishing 3rd at the Regionals, and the school that had finished 2nd at the Regionals were a distant 19th at these Nationals. Full results were: Felicity Y7 19th, Charlie Y8 22nd, Eloise Y8 56th, Aurelia Y8 57th, Romilly Y7 88th and Sophie Y7 92nd.
In the final race of the day our Senior Boys closed out in style and rounded off a very consistent day for Woodbridge School with another 7th place. One final great performance against the very best in the country and full results were: Henry Y11 10th, Kit Y13 13th, Charlie Y13 71st, Johnny Y11 84th and Obi Y11 143rd.
A set of results on the highest stage that Woodbridge School can be extremely proud of. Congratulations to every athlete and a big thank you to staff and parents for making the very long trip to Cornwall.
Next stop and the final fixture for 2021 is the South of England Inter County Cross Country, being held on Saturday 11th December 2021 where ten of our athletes will compete for Suffolk!
