Woodbridge Cross Country Athlete to Represent England
On Saturday 19th March, eight Woodbridge School athletes travelled to Kent to represent Suffolk at the English Schools Cross Country Championship. Mark Goddard, Cross Country Coach reports.
English Schools is the final Championship of the winter season and with just the top eight athletes from 44 English Counties in each of six age group races, the competition is of the highest standard. Qualifying to compete at this event is always the target of any aspiring young athlete. It was an incredibly proud day for Woodbridge with at least one athlete from School on the start line of all six races and they ran with pride and energy.
Congratulations to the following:
Junior Girls:
Charlie (Y8) had an experience like no other, where an athlete stood on her spike soon after the start and she lost her shoe. Even in the heat of battle, Charlie had the presence of mind to realise that the computer timing chip was on the shoe she had just lost, so she picked it up and ran the rest of the race with her shoe in her hand! Sadly, despite her heroic efforts the timing mats did not register her finish and so we will never quite know her race position; a unique but amazing first experience to end an excellent season for Charlie.
Junior Boys:
Angus (Y9) fought all season to get to English Schools and ran a great race to finish 247th.
Inter Girls:
Ruby (Y11) took her place at this event to compete for the County team despite an injury disrupted winter. Ruby ran a brave race to finish 109th. Eloise (Rufford) had an inspiring first English Schools and ran a great race to finish 196th.
Senior Girls:
April (Y13) continued her return to form and recorded the School’s second best finish of the day in an excellent 64th place. Amy (Goddard) was competing at her third English schools competition, and ran another strong race to finish 186th.
Senior Boys:
Kit (Y13) finished his school cross country career with another top 100 position, crossing the line in 89th place to help the Suffolk team to 11th – their highest team result at this championship.
Inter Boys : England representation!
Henry (Y11) rounded off a special fortnight in spectacular fashion, it’s completely fair to say. Henry arrived at these championships having finished 7th at the UK Inter Counties the previous week, knowing that a top ten finish would see him selected to represent his country.
After a hard fought race Henry crossed the line in 8th place and he will now represent English Schools at a Home Nation International in Wales this Saturday 26th March, where teams from England will compete against Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A proud day for Henry, his family and Woodbridge School and just reward for all of his hard work. We wish him every success at the international.
A huge thank you and congratulations to all the athletes, staff and parents that have contributed to a successful Cross Country season for Woodbridge School.
Time for a few easy recovery weeks before we turn our attention to the track!
